Abstract
A good knowledge of species delimitation is crucial for the biodiversity protection and the conservation of wild species. We studied the efficiency of AFLP markers and morphological characters to assist species determination for <em>Melica ciliata </em>L. and <em>M. transsilvanica </em>Schur within European range of distribution, including isolated and range-limit populations of "<em>M. ciliata</em>" (i.e. <em>M</em>. cf. <em>ciliata</em>) from the Polish Sudetes, where it is regarded as critically endangered. AFLP markers were found to be more effective then morphological characters (more or less continuous) in distinguishing the both studied species. AMOVA revealed very low genetic diversity within populations and high differentiation among populations of <em>M. ciliata </em>and <em>M. transsilvanica </em>(F<sub>ST</sub> = 0.89 and 0.95, respectively). The species-diagnostic AFLP markers of <em>M. transsilvanica </em>shared with "<em>M. ciliata</em>" from the Sudetes were detected. On the other hand, no species-diagnostic genetic markers of <em>M. ciliata </em>or hybrid-diagnostic markers of <em>M</em>. × <em>thuringiaca </em>were found within "<em>M. ciliata</em>". PCoA and NJ showed an overlapping genetic diversity of "<em>M. ciliata</em>" and <em>M. transsilvanica</em>. Hierarchical AMOVA supported the absence of a significant genotypic distinction between "<em>M. ciliata</em>" and <em>M. transsilvanica</em>. ANOVA showed that the length ratio of lower to upper glumes was the best morphological character to discriminate between <em>M. ciliata </em>and <em>M. transsilvanica</em>. Combined morphological and genetic data show that <em>M. ciliata </em>is not currently present in Poland as its putative Polish populations represent <em>M. transsilvanica</em>. A significant decrease in genetic variability that could influence viability was not observed the in Sudetian populations of <em>M. transsilvanica</em>. However, the population size changes significantly as a result of plant succession. Correction of the northern limit of the continuous distribution of <em>M. ciliata</em> L. in Central Europe is presented.
Highlights
Phylogenetic and taxonomical relationships between Melica o l i ciliata L. and M. transsilvanica Schur (Poaceae) have not been s hMorphological characters that identify and describe living exhaustively explained and established [5,6,7]
Genetic markers showed clearly higher efficiency for species identification than morphological characters. Both studied species are sometimes included within M. ciliata complex, taxonomically problematic group consisting of morphotypes or races with pronounced, but mainly clinal or indiscrete, morphological variation [5,7]. It appear that a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of M. ciliata complex is still not available, but our results indicate that the AFLPs survey of representative population accessions for M. ciliata s. str. and M. transsilvanica s. str., based on overall genome dissimilarity, could be considered as conclusive references in future study of phylogeographic and taxonomic patterns in M. ciliata complex
Contrary to theoretical expectations relating to small and isolated populations, we found no evidence of declining population genetic diversity within small and isolated populations of “M. ciliata” under a “stronger effect” of random genetic drift than that observed within other populations of M. ciliata/M. transsilvanica
Summary
Phylogenetic and taxonomical relationships between Melica o l i ciliata L. and M. transsilvanica Schur (Poaceae) have not been s hMorphological characters that identify and describe living exhaustively explained and established [5,6,7]. M. transsilvanica, distinguishes by very unequal l S results of the combined molecular and morphological research glumes and pubescent lower leaf-sheaths, was described by o c i techniques, give insight into speciation processes and are fun- Schur [9] from the vicinity of the Sibiu town in the Transylvae t damental to species-level taxonomy. They are successfully used nian Plateau in Romania.
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