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Dryad

Phylogeny of species, infraspecific taxa, and forms in Iris subgenus Xiphium (Iridaceae) that have centers of diversity in the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot

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May 31, 2022 version files 16.06 MB
Feb 22, 2023 version files 21.73 MB

Abstract

Iris subgenus Xiphium is a small group of taxa that mostly occur in the Mediterranean Basin, a long-recognized biodiversity hotspot. Phylogenetic relationships among these Iris were reconstructed based on sequence data from 110 nuclear markers and whole plastomes using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. Best trees based on plastome and combined datasets resolved subgenus Xiphium and I. xiphium as not monophyletic while nuclear data resolved the subgenus as monophyletic but I. xiphium as not monophyletic. Topology tests indicated that the alternative hypothesis of a monophyletic subgenus cannot be rejected while a monophyletic I. xiphium can be rejected. We hypothesize that the subgenus is monophyletic based on these analyses, morphology, and biogeography and that uneven patterns of missing data is a likely reason for topological incongruence among datasets. A previously suggested informal group within the subgenus was supported. Patterns of relationships among species suggest multiple exchanges between the African and European continents but also the importance of the Strait of Gibraltar as a barrier to genetic exchange. Bayesian analyses, biodiversity hotspots, constraint trees, Iberian Peninsula, Iridaceae, maximum likelihood analyses, Mediterranean Basin, missing data, North Africa, nuclear markers, Strait of Gibraltar, targeted enrichment, whole plastomes