Cryptic species in plants and their detection by genetic differentiation between populations

Abstract

Many cryptic species were found during last years in animals, fungi, algae by their intraspecious genetic differentiation revealed by PCR-based methods. But they were rarely found yet in plants. In this review, we summarized the information on detection of cryptic species of spore and seed plants by the data on genetic differentiation between populations. Reasons for their rare discovery, the surrounding circumstances, the distinguishing features, and other issues are discussed.