Stable persistence of relict populations involved evolutionary shifts of reproductive characters in the genus <i>Tanakaea</i> (Saxifragaceae)

Abstract Tertiary relicts often show evolutionary stasis in morphology and ecology have been hypothesized to retain stable population sizes refugia. However, recent studies reported that some evolutionarily shifted their physiology, ecology, experienced various patterns of demography. To understand the historical survival relict plants, a multidimensional study investigating evolution ecological morphological traits as well demographic history is needed. The genus Tanakaea (Saxifragaceae) comprises two species China Japan. These share most vegetative characteristics are sometimes treated single species. distribution pattern relictual, populations confined small areas mesic warm temperate forests less influenced by Quaternary glacial climates. Focusing on relictual plant group, this tested hypotheses stability long‐term Genetic analyses using plastome sequences genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms revealed divergence approximately 6.8 million years ago strong genetic differentiation regional populations. Demographic analysis almost all retained during glacial–interglacial climate changes, supporting traditional view. assessments simultaneous shift breeding systems (from hermaphrodite dioecy/non‐clonal clonal reproduction) Japanese intraspecific leaf traits. Therefore, do not every aspect. Changes reproductive may contributed situ survival.