Taxonomic differentiation of <i>Cupressus sempervirens</i> and <i>C. atlantica</i> based on morphometric evidence

<p>We investigated the interspecific morphological relationships of two related Mediterranean <i>Cupressus</i> taxa and the possible geographic differentiation of Eastern Mediterranean <i>C. sempervirens</i> using morphometric analysis. A total of 446 individuals, representing eight <i>C. atlantica</i> (Morocco) and 10 <i>C. sempervirens</i> (Greece, Turkey and Lebanon) populations were examined. The 17 morphological characters of cone, seed and shoot with leaves were measured and analysed statistically. Significant morphological differences between <i>C. atlantica</i> and <i>C. sempervirens</i> were detected for the majority of analysed characters. For <i>C. sempervirens</i>, significant differences were also detected and these were related to its three regions of origin, the Greek Islands, Taurus Mts and Lebanon Mts. Multivariate analyses did not indicate a clear geographic pattern of differentiation in <i>C. sempervirens</i> populations<i>.</i> A relatively low level of phenotypic differentiation was detected between populations originating from the Greek Islands and Taurus Mts. We also observed a moderate multivariate differentiation between the Lebanese and remaining <i>C. sempervirens</i> populations. Phenotypic differentiation detected in the Asian part of the <i>C. sempervirens</i> range reflects patterns of differentiation similar to those described for other taxa occurring in the Taurus and Lebanon Mts.</p

C_atl_RADseq_de_novo_assembly

Species: Cedrus atlantica Manetti Number of individuals: one single adult individual coming from the Luberon forest(43°47' N / 5°12' E, France) Plant tissue: needles (diploid) Sequencing method: Restriction site Associated DNA sequencing, paired-end sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq2000 platform (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) (2 x 101 bp) Data description: 66,656 contigs generated by de novo assembly Assembly tool: Velvet 1.2.06 (Zerbino & Birney 2008

C_atl_mRNAseq_de_novo_assembly

Species: Cedrus atlantica Manetti Number of indiivudals: one single 2-year-old seedling that originated from the the Luberon forest (43°47' N / 5°12' E, France) and was grown in a greenhouse in a pot Plant tissues: needles and roots (diploid) Sequencing method: transcriptome sequencing, paired-end sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq2000 platform (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) (2 x 101 bp) Data description: 130,184 contigs generated by de novo assembly Assembly tool: CLC Genomics Workbench 4.8 (CLC bio, Cambridge, MA

Diversity of Lebanese royal irises, illustrated by some of the studied taxa.

<p>A: <i>Iris sofarana</i> subsp. <i>sofarana</i>, B: <i>I</i>. <i>sofarana</i> subsp. <i>kasruwana</i>, C: <i>I</i>. <i>cedreti</i>, D: <i>I</i>. <i>westii</i>, E: <i>I</i>. <i>bismarckiana</i>, F: <i>I</i>. <i>lortetii</i>, G: <i>I</i>. <i>antilibanotica</i>. Photographs from M. Bou Dagher-Kharrat</p

Unlocking the Karyological and Cytogenetic Diversity of <i>Iris</i> from Lebanon: <i>Oncocyclus</i> Section Shows a Distinctive Profile and Relative Stasis during Its Continental Radiation - Fig 2

<p><b>Metaphase chromosome plates and Idiograms of <i>Iris</i> taxa A</b>–<b>K</b>: Metaphase chromosome plates of <i>Iris</i> taxa after double target FISH with 5S (green signals) and 18-26S rDNA (red signals) probes. C1 represents CMA staining (yellow signals). <b>A’</b>–<b>K’</b>: Idiograms with location of 5S (green) and 18-26S rDNA (red) rRNA genes. <b>A’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>sofarana</i> subsp. <i>sofarana</i> (Falougha), <b>B’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>sofarana</i> subsp. <i>sofarana</i> (Hazzerta) <b>C’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>sofarana</i> subsp. <i>kasruwana</i>, <b>D’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>cedreti</i>, <b>E’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>westii</i>, <b>F’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>bismarckiana</i>, <b>G’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>lortetii</i>, <b>H’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>antilibanotica</i>, <b>I’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>persica</i>, <b>J’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>unguicularis</i> var. <i>cretensis</i>, <b>K’</b>: <i>I</i>. <i>mesopotamica</i>. Scale bar 10 <i>μ</i>m.</p

Geographical origin (locality and altitude) and flowering date of the investigated taxa.

Geographical origin (locality and altitude) and flowering date of the investigated taxa.</p

Main data on karyotype features of investigated <i>Iris</i> taxa.

<p>Main data on karyotype features of investigated <i>Iris</i> taxa.</p

Synthesis of results concerning molecular cytogenetic approach of investigated <i>Iris</i> taxa.

<p>Synthesis of results concerning molecular cytogenetic approach of investigated <i>Iris</i> taxa.</p

Table_1_Polyploidy in the Conifer Genus Juniperus: An Unexpectedly High Rate.DOCX

Recent research suggests that the frequency of polyploidy may have been underestimated in gymnosperms. One notable example is in the conifer genus Juniperus, where there are already a few reports of polyploids although data are still missing for most species. In this study, we evaluated the extent of polyploidy in Juniperus by conducting the first comprehensive screen across nearly all of the genus. Genome size data from fresh material, together with chromosome counts, were used to demonstrate that genome sizes estimated from dried material could be used as reliable proxies to uncover the extent of ploidy diversity across the genus. Our analysis revealed that 16 Juniperus taxa were polyploid, with tetraploids and one hexaploid being reported. Furthermore, by analyzing the genome size and chromosome data within a phylogenetic framework we provide the first evidence of possible lineage-specific polyploidizations within the genus. Genome downsizing following polyploidization is moderate, suggesting limited genome restructuring. This study highlights the importance of polyploidy in Juniperus, making it the first conifer genus and only the second genus in gymnosperms where polyploidy is frequent. In this sense, Juniperus represents an interesting model for investigating the genomic and ecological consequences of polyploidy in conifers.</p