Phylogeography of the Sino-Himalayan Fern Lepisorus clathratus
Author Information
Author(s): Wang Li, Wu Zhi-Qiang, Bystriakova Nadia, Ansell Stephen W., Xiang Qiao-Ping, Heinrichs Jochen, Schneider Harald, Zhang Xian-Chun
Primary Institution: State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Hypothesis
How did ferns in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains change their distribution in response to Quaternary climatic oscillations?
Conclusion
The study reveals that alpine ferns in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains likely survived in situ during glaciations and expanded their range during interglacial periods.
Supporting Evidence
- 27 cpDNA haplotypes were detected and divided into five groups.
- Populations in the Hengduan Mountains showed the highest genetic diversity.
- A distinct phylogeographical subdivision was found between the Hengduan Mountains and north-central region.
- Individuals with indehiscent sporangia maintain genetic homogeneity.
- The study provides insights into the survival of alpine ferns during glaciations.
Takeaway
This study looks at how a type of fern survived and spread in the mountains of Asia during climate changes over a long time.
Methodology
The study used sequences of two chloroplast DNA regions to analyze the phylogeography of Lepisorus clathratus.
Limitations
The sampling was limited in the southern Himalaya, which may affect the understanding of the phylogeographical patterns.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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