Phylogeography of the Euro-Siberian steppe plant Astragalus austriacus: Late Pleistocene climate fluctuations fuelled formation and expansion of two main lineages from a Pontic-Pannonian area of origin

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ppees.2024.125800
• Publication Date: 2024-06-03T16:19:54Z
• Authors: Clemens Maylandt; Anna Seidl; Philipp Kirschner; Simon Pfanzelt; Gergely Király; Barbara Neuffer; Frank R. Blattner; Herbert Hurka; Nikolai Friesen; Alexander V. Polu...; Petr A. Kosachev; Corinna Schmiderer; Karl-Georg Bernhardt; Karin Tremetsberger
• Keywords: Steppe

The Euro-Siberian steppes have experienced large-scale range fluctuations due to the climatic changes of Pleistocene that may also fuelled reshuffling past steppe vegetation. These species-rich grasslands were much more widespread during glacials and contracted interglacials, a dynamic which should be reflected by evolutionary history their biota. Astragalus austriacus is species with European-western Siberian distribution an ideal model study florogenesis steppes. Here, we inferred phylogeography A. based on genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data from populations sampled western edge Pannonian region across Pontic region. Additionally, applied molecular dating using single gene sequence (ycf1, matK ITS). We outline scenario in intraspecific diversification occurred eastern part Europe later (0.48–0.24 Ma). From there, expanded both eastwards westwards, likely cold period, two main lineages within today occur sensu lato Pontic/south-western regions, respectively. Demographic modelling supported such showed population sizes larger last stage postglacially. Within region, strong substructure was detected, as result repeated disintegration continuous cold-stage Europe. Finally, our results are line scenarios suggested for other Adonis vernalis.