Genome Size Variation in Dianthus sylvestris Wulfen sensu lato (Caryophyllaceae)

Abstract

Genome size (GS) is an important characteristic that may be helpful in delimitation of taxa, and multiple studies have shown correlations between intraspecific GS variation and morphological or environmental factors, as well as its geographical segregation. We estimated a relative GS (RGS) of 707 individuals from 162 populations of Dianthus sylvestris with a geographic focus on the Balkan Peninsula, but also including several populations from the European Alps. Dianthus sylvestris is morphologically variable species thriving in various habitats and six subspecies have been recognized from the Balkan Peninsula. Our RGS data backed-up with chromosome counts revealed that the majority of populations were diploid (2n = 30), but ten tetraploid populations have been recorded in D. sylvestris subsp. sylvestris from Istria (Croatia, Italy). Their monoploid RGS is significantly lower than that of the diploids, indicating genome downsizing. In addition, the tetraploids significantly differ from their diploid counterparts in an array of morphological and environmental characteristics. Within the diploid populations, the RGS is geographically and only partly taxonomically correlated, with the highest RGS inferred in the southern Balkan Peninsula and the Alps. We demonstrate greater RGS variation among the Balkan populations compared to the Alps, which is likely a result of more pronounced evolutionary differentiation within the Balkan Peninsula. In addition, a deep RGS divergence within the Alps likely points to persistence of the alpine populations in different Pleistocene refugia.

An integrative taxonomic study of Santolina (Asteraceae) from southern France and north‐eastern Spain reveals new endemic taxa

“…Finally, for S. benthamiana and S. ericoides , despite a high phylogenetic relatedness, they can preserve the status of species thanks to clear morphological and ecological differentiation. The patterns detected in this study are in accordance with the rich literature available for recently diversified plant species in the Mediterranean Basin (De Castro et al, 2015; Bateman, 2018; Liu et al, 2022; Terlević et al, 2022). Indeed, the Mediterranean region is one of the most important hotspots for biodiversity, and the factors that have driven plant speciation are many and are related to its complex climatic and geologic history (Greuter, 1991; Cañadas et al, 2014).…”

Phenotypic correlates of genetic divergence suggest at least three species in the complex of Dianthus virgineus (Caryophyllaceae)

“…4). This finding agrees with data obtained from research carried out on Balkan taxa belonging to the D. virgineus complex, where the segregation of different systematic units was inferred to be reliant on combined geographical and ecological gradients (Terlević & al., 2022, 2023).…”

“…Finally, the name Dianthus sylvestris Wulfen, originally described from Slovenia (Domina & al., 2021a), would apply to the “Balkan” lineage. Karyological (Terlević & al., 2022), morphological (Terlević & al., 2023), and genetic variation have been investigated within the Balkan D. sylvestris , which may lead to some further taxonomic adjustments. Similarly, integrative taxonomic studies are ongoing within the Apennine (and Central Mediterranean) D. virgineus , in light that 21 taxonomically doubtful taxa have been described in this area based solely on morphological qualitative features.…”

Dianthus sylvestris subsp. sylvestris as a promising candidate for phytostabilization of copper‐contaminated post‐mining sites in Alpine ecosystems

“…sylvestris is one of the metallophytes present at Cu‐contaminated alpine locations around Monte Avanza mine. The native distribution of this small shrub ranges from NW and central Alps to W and N Greece, where it mainly occurs at uncontaminated sites in temperate biome (Fassou et al 2022, Terlević et al 2022) but occasionally can be found on metalliferous soils (Punz and Mucina 1997). Our preliminary survey of Monte Avanza vegetation identified D. sylvestris subsp.…”