Subspecies divergence and pronounced phylogenetic incongruence in the East-Asia-endemic shrub Magnolia sieboldii

Abstract

Background and Aims: The biogeographic patterns of the East-Asia-endemic shrub Magnolia sieboldii, in which the range of the subsp. sieboldii is interposed with the disjunct distribution of subsp. japonica, implies a complex evolutionary history, involving rapid speciation and hybridization. Here, we aim to reveal the evolutionary and phylogeographic histories of the species with a particular focus on the time of subspecies divergence, the hypothesis of secondary hybridization and the Pleistocene survival of each subspecies, using a combination of genetic analyses and ecological niche modelling. Methods: Genetic variation, genetic structures and phylogenetic relationships were elucidated based on nuclear low-copy genes, chloroplast DNA, and nuclear simple sequence repeats (SSRs). A scenario selection analysis and divergence time estimation were performed using coalescent simulation in DIYABC and ∗BEAST. Ecological niche modelling and a test of niche differentiation were performed using Maxent and ENMTools. Key Results: All marker types showed deep, but pronouncedly incongruent, west-east genetic divergences, with the subspecies being delineated only by the nuclear low-copy genes. Phylogenetic tree topologies suggested that ancient hybridization and introgression were likely to have occurred; however, this scenario did not receive significant support in the DIYABC analysis. The subspecies differentiated their niches, but both showed a dependence on high humidity and were predicted to have persisted during the last glacial cycle by maintaining a stable latitudinal distribution via migration to lower altitudes. Conclusions: We found a deep genetic divergence and a pronounced phylogenetic incongruence among the two subspecies of M. sieboldii, which may have been driven by major paleogeographic and paleoclimatic events that have occurred since the Neogene in East Asia, including global cooling, climate oscillations and the formation of land bridges. Both subspecies were, however, considered to persist in situ in stable climatic conditions during the late Pleistocene.