Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis in Leptospermum scoparium (Myrtaceae) supports two highly differentiated endemic species in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia

• DOI: 10.1007/s11295-023-01606-w
• Publication Date: 2023-07-10T13:05:00Z
• Authors: David Chagné; Sara Montanari; Chris Kirk; Caroline Mitchell; Peter Heenan; Emily Koot
• Keywords: Aotearoa; Endemism

Abstract Leptospermum scoparium is the basis of a flourishing honey industry in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) and Australia. The genetic structure L. across its range NZ Australia was previously assessed using pooled, whole genome sequencing; however, only one sampling site Tasmania included. Here, we used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for genotyping samples collected natural stands around NZ, to determine relationship between individuals from two regions. In total, 2069 high quality, polymorphic SNP markers were applied sample set 504 individuals, revealing that Tasmanian are genetically distinct mānuka, confirming observation pooled sequencing project. F ST discriminant analysis principal components confirmed populations well differentiated populations, suggesting they should be recognised as separate, endemic Australian species. Within eight geographic groups distinguished with genotypic variation exhibiting north south landscape scale patterns regional clusters. We found support isolation by distance, this reflected pairwise values estimated clusters (0.056 0.356); each group exhibits geneflow weakly neighbouring evidenced low population differentiation (low ). These data provide little taxonomic revision subdividing into segregate species within NZ.