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East-West genetic differentiation across the Indo-Burma hotspot: evidence from two closely related dioecious figs
| First Author: |
Huang, JF |
| Abstract: |
BackgroundUnderstanding biodiversity patterns and their underlying mechanisms is of interest to ecologists, biogeographers and conservationists and is critically important for conservation efforts. The Indo-Burma hotspot features high species diversity and endemism, yet it also faces significant threats and biodiversity losses; however, few studies have explored the genetic structure and underlying mechanisms of Indo-Burmese species. Here, we conducted a comparative phylogeographic analysis of two closely related dioecious Ficus species, F. hispida and F. heterostyla, based on wide and intensive population sampling across Indo-Burma ranges, using chloroplast (psbA-trnH, trnS-trnG) and nuclear microsatellite (nSSR) markers, as well as ecological niche modeling.ResultsThe results indicated large numbers of population-specific cpDNA haplotypes and nSSR alleles in the two species. F. hispida showed slightly higher chloroplast diversity but lower nuclear diversity than F. heterostyla. Low-altitude mountainous areas of northern Indo-Burma were revealed to have high genetic diversity and high habitat suitability, suggesting potential climate refugia and conservation priority areas. Strong phylogeographic structure and a marked east-west differentiation pattern were observed in both species, due to the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors. Interspecific dissimilarities at fine-scale genetic structure and asynchronized historical dynamics of east-west differentiation between species were also detected, which were attributed to different species-specific traits.ConclusionsWe confirm hypothesized predictions that interactions between biotic and abiotic factors largely determine the patterns of genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of Indo-Burmese plants. The east-west genetic differentiation pattern observed in two targeted figs can be generalized to some other Indo-Burmese plants. The results and findings of this work will contribute to the conservation of Indo-Burmese biodiversity and facilitate targeted conservation efforts for different species. |
| Contact the author: |
Huang, JF; Peng, YQ |
| Page Number: |
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| Issue: |
1 |
| Subject: |
Plant Sciences |
| Impact Factor: |
5.3 |
| Authors units: |
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| PubYear: |
2023 |
| Volume: |
23 |
| Publication Name: |
BMC PLANT BIOLOGY |
| The full text link: |
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| ISSN: |
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