Range and niche expansion through multiple interspecific hybridization: a genotyping by sequencing analysis of Cherleria (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract Background Cherleria (Caryophyllaceae) is a circumboreal genus that also occurs in the high mountains of northern hemisphere. In this study, we focus on clade diversified European High Mountains, which was identified using nuclear ribosomal (nrDNA) sequence data previous study. With nrDNA data, all but one species monophyletic, with little variation within most species. Here, use genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to determine whether showed full picture evolution genomes these Results The overall relationships found GBS were congruent those from Most still monophyletic and many same subclades recovered, including three narrow endemic Greece largely calcifuge provided additional resolution two best sampling, C. langii laricifolia , structure geography. addition, significant hybridization between several species, whose ranges did not currently overlap. Conclusions led us hypothesize lineages came contact Balkan Peninsula after they diverged, even when are no longer present Peninsula. Hybridization may have helped expand their niches colonize new substrates different areas. Not only do genome-wide provide increased phylogenetic difficult nodes, give evidence for more complex evolutionary history than what can be depicted simple, branching phylogeny.