Genome Skimming Reveals Widespread Hybridization in a Neotropical Flowering Plant Radiation

The tropics hold at least an order of magnitude greater plant diversity than the temperate zone, yet reasons for this difference are still subject to debate. Much tropical is in highly speciose genera and understanding drivers such high species richness will help solve enigma. Hybridization has recently been shown underlie many adaptive radiations, but its role evolution received little attention. Here, we address topic hyperdiverse Bromeliaceae genus Vriesea using genome skimming data covering three genomic compartments. We find evidence hybridization ca. 11% our dataset, both within between other genera, which commensurate with underlying hyperdiversity , potentially Tillandsioideae. While additional research be needed further clarify contribution rapid diversification study provides important first point suggesting importance diversity.