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Radiation of the Nod‐independent Aeschynomene relies on multiple allopolyploid speciation events
Author(s) -
Arrighi JeanFrançois,
Chaintreuil Clémence,
Cartieaux Fabienne,
Cardi C.,
RodierGoud M.,
Brown Spencer C.,
Boursot Marc,
D'Hont Angélique,
Dreyfus Bernard,
Giraud Eric
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.12594
Subject(s) - biology , polyploid , genome , evolutionary biology , lineage (genetic) , nod , botany , genetics , gene
Summary The semi‐aquatic legumes belonging to the genus Aeschynomene constitute a premium system for investigating the origin and evolution of unusual symbiotic features such as stem nodulation and the presence of a Nod‐independent infection process. This latter apparently arose in a single Aeschynomene lineage. But how this unique Nod‐independent group then radiated is not yet known. We have investigated the role of polyploidy in Aeschynomene speciation via a case study of the pantropical A. indica and then extended the analysis to the other Nod‐independent species. For this, we combined SSR genotyping, genome characterization through flow cytometry, chromosome counting, FISH and GISH experiments, molecular phylogenies using ITS and single nuclear gene sequences, and artificial hybridizations. These analyses demonstrate the existence of an A. indica polyploid species complex comprising A. evenia (C. Wright) (2 n = 2x = 20), A. indica L. s.s. (2 n = 4x = 40) and a new hexaploid form (2 n = 6x = 60). This latter contains the two genomes present in the tetraploid ( A. evenia and A. scabra ) and another unidentified genome. Two other species, A. pratensis and A. virginica , are also shown to be of allopolyploid origin. This work reveals multiple hybridization/polyploidization events, thus highlighting a prominent role of allopolyploidy in the radiation of the Nod‐independent Aeschynomene .