Chloroplast DNA phylogeography of Primula ovalifolia in central and adjacent southwestern China： Past gradual expansion and geographical isolation

• Published in: Journal of systematics and evolution : JSE Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 284 - 294
• Main Authors: XIE, Xiu‐Feng, YAN, Hai‐Fei, WANG, Feng‐Ying, GE, Xue‐Jun, HU, Chi‐Ming, HAO, Gang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.07.2012; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Agriculture Industry Business Polytechnic College, Guangzhou 510507, China%South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China%Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai 201602, China%College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
• Subjects: central and adjacent southwestern China; China; chloroplast DNA; cpDNA; Evolution; Expansion; Flora; Genetic diversity; genetic variation; Haplotypes; Natural populations; phylogeny; phylogeography; Pleistocene; Primula; Primula ovalifolia Franch; refuge habitats; Refugia; Speciation; Species diversity; topography; 中国西南地区; 中央; 叶绿体DNA; 地理学; 报春花; 系统发育分析; 谱系; 遗传多样性; China; central and adjacent southwestern China; cpDNA; Primula ovalifolia Franch; phylogeography
• ISSN: 1674-4918; 1759-6831
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1759-6831.2012.00204.x

To investigate the mechanisms responsible for the high diversity in central and adjacent southwestern China, we inferred the phylogeographic history of Primula ovalifolia from chloroplast DNA data. One hundred and thirty five individuals from 13 natural populations (including one Primula tardiflora population) were analyzed. A total of 23 haplotypes were identified. Most of them were exclusive to a single population. Strong phylogeography structure was detected, with NST (0.936) significantly higher than GST (0.784). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all haplotypes were clustered into three lineages (clades I, II, and III). High genetic diversity was revealed, possibly due to the interglacial contraction and glacial expansion. The three identified lineages may have undergone different historical processes after the mid‐Pleistocene, due to their early divergent time. Multiple refugia were inferred for the three lineages. Pleistocene climatic oscillations, combined with the complex local topography, were responsible for the strong phylogeographic pattern of P. ovalifolia. Our analysis supports the hypothesis that the central and adjacent southwestern region of China was an important refugium for the survival, persistence, and further speciation of most East Asia flora, which has led to high species diversity in this region.