Tangled trios? Characterizing a hybrid zone in Castilleja (Orobanchaceae)

Erika l. Hersch-Green; Richard Cronn

Treesearch

Tangled trios? Characterizing a hybrid zone in Castilleja (Orobanchaceae)

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Erika l. Hersch-Green, Richard Cronn

Year:

2009

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Source:

American Journal of Botany. 96(8): 1519-1531

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Abstract

Hybridization and polyploidization are exceedingly important processes because both influence the ecological envelope and evolutionary trajectory of land plants. These processes are frequently invoked for Castilleja (Indian paintbrushes) as contributors to morphological and genetic novelty and as complicating factors in species delimitations. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of morphological and genetic evidence for hybridization in a well-characterized hybrid swarm involving three broadly sympatric species (c. miniata, C. rhexiifolia, C. sulphurea) in western Colorado. This study highlights the importance of examining concordance and discordance between morphology, cytology, and genetic criteria to understand the complex evolutionary history of diverse groups such as Castilleja.

Keywords

Castilleja, admixture, hybridization, introgression, Orobanchaceae, polyploidy, population structure

Citation

Hersch-Green, Erika l.; Cronn, Richard. 2009. Tangled trios? Characterizing a hybrid zone in Castilleja (Orobanchaceae). American Journal of Botany. 96(8): 1519-1531.