An integrating study of genetic diversity and ecological niche modelling in Salvia aristata (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

Applying both molecular data and ecological niche modelling is essential to infer the speciation mechanism and species delimitation in organisms. Salvia aristata Auch. ex Benth is an endemic species restricted to western, northwestern and centre of Iran and eastern parts of Turkey with variations in morphological character along its distributions. In this study, we applied SRAP marker and ecological niche modelling using climatic and geographic data to detect and examine the genetic structure and niche differentiation in S. aristata accessions. SRAP marker's results showed 242 bands highly polymorph. Genetic distance analysis provided two main clusters. The STRUCTURE analysis provided two distinct ecotypes (K = 2). Our ecological niche model produced good results with high performance based on area under curve (AUC > 0.9) for both ecotypes. Altitude was the most important variable contributing in niche model of both ecotypes. The niche space of both ecotypes is different based on niche identity test and background test as well. Based on genetic and ecological evidence, it is concluded that S. aristata gene pool underwent a parapatric speciation process caused by niche divergence and reproductive isolations as a consequence of divergent selection on floral traits.

Morphometric analysis and genetic diversity in Rindera (Boraginaceae-Cynoglosseae) using sequence related amplified polymorphism

“…Despite the presence of limited gene flow in Rindera species, two distinct ecotypes were reported previously. These ecotypes were formed due to reproductive isolation caused by altitude gradient and different niches (Moein et al, 2019). The present study also depicted a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances.…”

Integrating morphological and genetic limits in the taxonomic delimitation of the Cuban taxa of Magnolia subsect. Talauma (Magnoliaceae)

“…The potential for such integrative taxonomic approaches has not yet been fully embraced in botany, particularly in the tropics (Damasco et al 2019). The works of Zheng et al (2017), Alvarado-Sizzo et al (2018), Damasco et al (2019), Denham et al (2019), Moein et al (2019), Yang et al (2019) are good examples of the use of an integrative approach carried out to solve the taxonomic problems in different plant families.…”