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A phylogeny of Antirrhinum reveals parallel evolution of alpine morphology
Author(s) -
DuránCastillo Mario,
Hudson Andrew,
Wilson Yvette,
Field David L.,
Twyford Alex D.
Publication year - 2022
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.17581
Subject(s) - parallel evolution , biology , antirrhinum , evolutionary biology , phylogenetics , convergent evolution , phylogenetic tree , intraspecific competition , adaptation (eye) , natural selection , antirrhinum majus , biological dispersal , ecology , selection (genetic algorithm) , gene , genetics , population , demography , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , sociology , arabidopsis , mutant , computer science
Summary Parallel evolution of similar morphologies in closely related lineages provides insight into the repeatability and predictability of evolution. In the genus Antirrhinum (snapdragons), as in other plants, a suite of morphological characters are associated with adaptation to alpine environments. We tested for parallel trait evolution in Antirrhinum by investigating phylogenetic relationships using restriction‐site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing. We then associated phenotypic information to our phylogeny to reconstruct the patterns of morphological evolution and related this to evidence for hybridisation between emergent lineages. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the alpine character syndrome is present in multiple groups, suggesting that Antirrhinum has repeatedly colonised alpine habitats. Dispersal to novel environments happened in the presence of intraspecific and interspecific gene flow. We found support for a model of parallel evolution in Antirrhinum . Hybridisation in natural populations, and a complex genetic architecture underlying the alpine morphology syndrome, support an important role of natural selection in maintaining species divergence in the face of gene flow.