Open AccessIntercontinental migration pattern and genetic differentiation of arctic‐alpine Rhodiola rosea L.: A chloroplast DNA survey
Author(s) -
György Zsuzsanna,
Tóth Endre G.,
Incze Norbert,
Molnár Bence,
Höhn Mária
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.4589
Subject(s) - beringia , glacial period , arctic , geography , genetic diversity , phylogeography , chloroplast dna , southern hemisphere , biology , ecology , paleontology , chloroplast , population , phylogenetics , biochemistry , demography , sociology , gene
Our study describes genetic lineages and historical biogeography of Rhodiola rosea a widely distributed arctic‐alpine perennial species of the Northern Hemisphere based on sequence analysis of six chloroplast regions. Specimens of 44 localities from the Northern Hemisphere have been sequenced and compared with those available in the GenBank. Our results support the migration of the species into Europe via the Central Asian highland corridor, reaching the European Alpine System (EAS) and also the western European edge, the British Isles. The EAS proved to be an important center of genetic diversity, especially the region of the Eastern Alps and the Dolomites where signs of glacial refugia was observed. Apart from those of the EAS, a common lineage was detected along the Atlantic coast from the British Isles toward Scandinavia as well as Iceland and the eastern parts of North America. Accordingly, the British Isles represent a main link between the northern Atlantic and southern EAS lineages.