Inferring species relationships among Camellia chrysanthoides and its closely related species for developing conservation strategies. Issue 3 (10th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Hailing; Liu, Shangli; Ye, Quanqing; Lu, Yongbin; Tang, Shaoqing
• Is Part Of: Plant species biology. Volume 36:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 390
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2021-03-10
• Subjects: chloroplast DNA -- conservation -- low‐copy nuclear gene -- population genetic -- taxonomy; Plants -- Evolution -- Periodicals; Plants -- Classification -- Periodicals; 581
• DOI: 10.1111/1442-1984.12320
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0913-557X

Abstract

Abstract: Accurate species classification is important for developing conservation strategies for endangered species. Camellia chrysanthoides and its closely related species are currently threatened. However, the taxonomy of these species is complex and contentious. A total of 87 individuals from nine populations of C. chrysanthoides and its close relatives were collected and analyzed using two nuclear genes ( PAL and waxy ) and a chloroplast DNA fragment. Molecular and morphological evidence demonstrates that C. chrysanthoides and C. micrantha share floral traits and nuclear and chloroplast haplotypes, suggesting that they should be treated as a single species. Our nuclear results indicated that C. parvipetala is genetically close to C. chrysanthoides and C. micrantha . A barrier to gene flow between C. chrysanthoides and C. micrantha populations and the high number of private nuclear haplotypes in C. parvipetala suggest that C. chrysanthoides, C. micrantha and C. parvipetala should be recognized as three independent conservation units. Abstract : Camellia chrysanthoides and its closely related species are threatened, and their taxonomic uncertainty affect their protection status. Molecular and morphological evidence demonstrates that C. chrysanthoides and C. micrantha should be treated as a single species. C. chrysanthoides, C. micrantha and C. parvipetala are three independent conservation units.