Genome size evolution in holoparasitic Orobanche (Orobanchaceae) and related genera

Hanna Weiss-Schneeweiss, Johann Greilhuber, Gerald Schneeweiss (Corresponding author)

    Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

    Abstract

    Genome size was estimated using Feulgen densitometry for 76 accessions of 40 taxa of Orobanche and two taxa each of the related genera Phelypaea and Cistanche, providing the first data set for any group of nonphotosynthetic angiosperms. The 2C-values were 16.8-19.9 pg in Cistanche, 2.9-11.6 pg in Orobanche sect. Orobanche, 6.8-10.8 pg in sect. Trionychon, 4.3-5.1 pg in sect. Myzorrhiza, and 4.9-5.8 pg and 10.5 pg in the two diploid species Phelypaea coccinea and P. tournefortii, respectively. Distribution of genome size is congruent with phylogenetic lineages identified by analyses of nuclear ITS sequence data, in particular regarding the distinctness of O. anatolica from the rest of sect. Orobanche. With the exception of tetraploid O. transcaucasica, polyploid taxa of sect. Orobanche are among those with the smallest C-values, suggesting substantial genome downsizing after polyploidization (as in other angiosperm groups). In O. sect. Orobanche, genome size evolved more rapidly in earlier stages of its evolution than in later stages. This might be indicative of adaptive radiation, but this hypothesis requires corroboration in the form of genome size estimates on more taxa and accessions.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)148-156
    Number of pages9
    JournalAmerican Journal of Botany: the journal for all plant biologists
    Volume93
    Issue number1
    Publication statusPublished - 2006

    Austrian Fields of Science 2012

    • 106012 Evolutionary research
    • 106008 Botany

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