Phylogeographical and cytogeographical history of Artemisia herba-alba (Asteraceae) in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa: mirrored intricate patterns on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea. (9th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bougoutaia, Youcef; Garnatje, Teresa; Vallès, Joan; Kaid-Harche, Meriem; Ouhammou, Ahmed; Dahia, Mostefa; Tlili, Abderrazak; Vitales, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Botanical journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 195:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 588
• Page End: 605
• Publication Date: 2020-09-09
• Subjects: autopolyploidy -- diploids -- flow cytometry -- Iberian Peninsula -- niche modelling -- North-West Africa -- plastid DNA -- polyploidy -- tetraploids; Botany -- Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1093/botlinnean/boaa075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4074

Abstract

Abstract: Artemisia herba-alba is an important component of Mediterranean dry steppe floras, being widely distributed in arid areas of the Iberian Peninsula and North-West Africa. In this study, we use genetic, cytogenetic and niche modelling tools to investigate the natural history of the species, focusing particularly on the role played by polyploidization to explain current diversity patterns throughout the main distribution range of the plant. Our sequencing data indicate a complex phylogeographical structure showing similar haplotype diversity patterns on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar and no clear signals of genetic refugia. According to our cytogeographical results, we inferred multiple polyploidization events, which probably took place on the Iberian Peninsula and in North Africa independently. Environmental niche modelling suggested stable potential distributions of A. herba-alba on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea under present and past Last Glacial Maximum conditions, which could be related to the intricate spatial genetic and cytogenetic patterns shown by the species. Finally, environmental modelling comparison among cytotypes revealed that the niche of tetraploids is narrower and nested in that of diploids, a result that could indicate environmental specialization and could potentially explain recurrent establishment success of tetraploids.