Abstract Detail

Systematics Section

Escobar Garcia, Pedro [1], Winkler, Manuela [2], Flatscher, Ruth [2], Sonnleitner, Michaela [3], Hülber, Karl [4], Schoenswetter, Peter [3], Schneeweiss, Gerald M. [5].

Origin and evolution of the polyploid complex Senecio carniolicus (Asteraceae).

Although the importance of polyploidy as a force promoting speciation is beyond question, there is still little known about the early stages of polyploid speciation. The key to understand these early stages involves the microscale study of populational cytotype mixtures. A suitable system is Senecio carniolicus Willd. (Asteraceae), a common acidophilic species from alpine grasslands, moraines and stable scree slopes from the Eastern Alps and the Carpathians. Recently, large intraspecific ploidy level variation was discovered, including many populations in which stable cytotype mixtures are found. The three main cytotypes involved (diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid) display non-random distributions as well as marked habitat segregation, and there is evidence for the existence of strong reproductive barriers between diploid and polyploid cytotypes. Our data suggest the existence of two different diploid lineages, western (in eastern Switzerland and adjacent regions of Italy), and eastern (in Austria and Italy, along the main chain of the Alps from the Ötztaler Alps eastwards). Using ITS, low-copy nuclear markers, AFLPs and cpDNA data we aim to unravel the evolution of the group specifically addressing the origin of the polyploids as well as the phylogeographic patterns causing interpopulational cytotype mixture.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Universitry of Vienna, Department of Biogeography, Rennweg 14, Vienna, Vienna, A-1030, Austria
2 - University of Vienna, Department of Biogeography, Rennweg 14, Vienna, 1030, Austria
3 - University of Vienna, Department of Biogeography, Rennweg 14, Vienna, Vienna, A-1030, Austria
4 - University of Vienna, Department of Conservation Biology, Vegetation- and Landscape Ecology, Rennweg 14, Vienna, Vienna, A-1030, Austria
5 - University of Vienna, Institute for Botany, Department of Plant Biogeography, Rennweg 14, Vienna, A 1030, Austria

Keywords:
Senecio
carniolicus
cytotype mixture
Eastern Alps
phylogeography
AFLPs
ITS
low copy nuclear markers
cpDNA.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 38
Location: 555A/Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM
Number: 38001
Abstract ID:301