Chromosome and Molecular Analyses Reveal Significant Karyotype Diversity and Provide New Evidence on the Origin of Aegilops columnaris

Aegilops columnaris Zhuk. is tetraploid grass species (2n = 4x 28, UcUcXcXc) closely related to Ae. neglecta and growing in Western Asia a western part of the Fertile Crescent. Genetic diversity was assessed using C-banding, FISH, nuclear chloroplast (cp) DNA analyses, gliadin electrophoresis. Cytogenetically subdivided into two groups, C-I C-II, showing different karyotype structure, FISH patterns. group more similar neglecta. All types markers revealed significant heterogeneity C-II group, although also polymorphic. Two chromosomal groups were consistent with plastogroups identified current study based on sequencing three intergenic spacer regions. The similarity their distinctness from indicate that divergence associated minor genome modifications. Group could emerge relatively recently, probably due introgression another followed by reorganization parental genomes. Most accessions collected very narrow geographic region, they might originate common ancestor. We suggest at initial stage undergoing an extensive speciation process.