Integrated genomics and morphological approach reveals interspecific gene flow cases and decodes the origin of selected feathergrasses (Poaceae, Stipa).

Abstract

Central Asia is a diversity hotspot of arid-adapted grasses from the genus Stipa, with approximately 100 taxa found in the region. Recent studies in the steppe areas of Kazakhstan revealed specimens displaying intermediate morphology, distinguishing them from other taxa that grow sympatrically. Using integrative taxonomy, we investigated whether these individuals resulted from natural speciation or hybridisation, and if so, we would like to know which species were involved in this process feathergrasses. Research conducted in steppes of central Kazakhstan (Kyzylorda region), revealed the existence of individuals morphologically intermediate between S. arabica and S. richteriana, suggesting that these are probably of hybrid origin. Morphology and SNP markers validated the specimens as F1 hybrid between the aforementioned species by cladding separately based on neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree. Moreover, genetic structure displayed a separate cluster and showed almost equal genetic admixture between S. arabica and S. richteriana. Additionally, fastStructure analysis detected two geographically separated cryptic genotypes within S. richteriana population and their involvement in the hybridisation resulted in occurrence of S. × heptapotamica, S. × czerepanovii and S. × korshinskyi which recently were suggested as hybrids. Based on these evidences, we described a new nothospecies S. × kyzylordensis, as F1 hybrid. Furthermore, morphologically, the nothospecies delimited with other hybrids in Kazakh steppe area, marking the first report of hybridisation between S. arabica and S. richteriana, along with molecular evidence for the origin of further species supposed to be hybrids. This finding is crucial to understanding species diversity and hybridisation process in morphologically and genetically distant Stipa species.