The utility of automated analysis of inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) loci for resolving relationships in the Canary Island species of Tolpis (Asteraceae)

• DOI: 10.3732/ajb.93.8.1154
• Publication Date: 2008-02-28T20:19:38Z
• Authors: Jenny K. Archibald; Daniel J. Crawford; Arnoldo Santos‐Gu...; Mark E. Mort
• Keywords: Species complex

Plants of oceanic islands, often remarkably divergent morphologically from continental relatives, are useful models for studying evolution and speciation because is telescoped in time space. Prior studies revealed little DNA sequence variation within the clade ca. 10 Canary Island species Tolpis, which precluded resolving relationships. The present study assessed utility automated analysis inter-simple repeat (ISSR) loci relationships using 264 individuals 36 populations all recognized three undescribed morphological variants. Similarity (Dice coefficient) Fitch parsimony were used to generate neighbor-joining (NJ) strict consensus trees (MP), respectively. All distinct endemic formed clusters both trees. There also support two variants NJ tree. Individuals a variable complex consisting primarily not well resolved at population or levels. MP congruent deeper levels, including among species. Results interpreted terms biology species, ISSR markers interpreting patterns Tolpis Islands discussed.