Hybridization in the Fringed Orchids: An Analysis of Species Boundaries in the Face of Gene Flow

Natural hybridization between closely related species in sympatry is an evolutionary process that common orchids. Once seen as a threat to parent species, interspecific genetic change increasingly viewed source of novel variation some ecological contexts. Terrestrial fringed orchids the genus Platanthera contain several clades with high compatibility among and many putative hybrids. We used biallelic SNPs generated 3RAD sequencing study hybrid complex formed from P. blephariglottis, ciliaris, cristata resolution. The structure phylogenetic relationship revealed site-dependent gene flow species. documented extensive cryptic hybrids sympatric sites. Interspecific exchange particularly blephariglottis ciliaris samples being more than parental assignments Hybridization across triad can reticulate lineages introduce adaptive alleles. Conversely, it reduce diversification rates maladaptive Investigation into whether anthropogenic forces are eroding boundaries, permeable boundary, appropriate for conservation efforts.