Evolution of reproductive traits and selfing syndrome in the sub-endemic Mediterranean genus Centaurium Hill (Gentianaceae)

In flowering plants, the shift from outcrossing to selfing is associated with a set of correlated changes in morphological and reproductive features known as the ‘selfing syndrome’. Species of the sub-endemic Mediterranean genus Centaurium Hill (Gentianaceae) exhibit a wide array of flower traits re...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Jiménez Lobato, Vania, Escudero Lirio, Marcial, Díaz Lifante, Zoila María, Andrés Camacho, María Cristina, De Castro Mateo, Alejandra, Mansion, Guilhem, Zeltner, Louis, Arroyo Marín, Juan
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositorio:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/167597
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/167597
https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/boz036
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:comparative method
flower evolution
herkogamy
Iberian Peninsula
mating system
Mediterranean Basin
phylogenetic tree
polyploidy
reproductive assurance
selfing
Descripción
Sumario:In flowering plants, the shift from outcrossing to selfing is associated with a set of correlated changes in morphological and reproductive features known as the ‘selfing syndrome’. Species of the sub-endemic Mediterranean genus Centaurium Hill (Gentianaceae) exhibit a wide array of flower traits related to pollination biology and different ploidy levels. We explored if the evolutionary transitions of seven flower traits and life cycle, typically associated with the selfing syndrome, are related to polyploidy, diversification patterns, divergence times and the geological and climatic history of the Mediterranean Basin. Using 26 species of Centaurium we reconstructed a phylogenetic tree, inferred the ancestral states of the selected traits, estimated their phylogenetic signal and tested the correlative evolution among them. We found a significant increase in diversification rates during the Quaternary. Anther length, flower size, herkogamy and polyploidy undergo rapid state transitions without phylogenetic signal that could be the result of adaptation for selfing. Changes in character states do not show evidence of correlative evolution among them, as would be predicted during the evolution of selfing syndrome. The evolution of reproductive traits in Centaurium has probably relied on a more diverse array of drivers than just reproductive assurance or polyploidy events.