Evaluating species limits and hybridization in the Carex complanata complex using morphology, amplified fragment length polymorphisms, and restriction fragment analysisThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Systematics Research.

摘要: We used a combination of morphology, amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP), and restriction-site data from 252 individuals 51 populations to investigate species limits hybridization in the Carex complanata complex. Principal coordinate analysis morphological shows clear separation entities corresponding Carex bushii Mackenzie Carex caroliniana Schwein. However, only leaf indumentum reliably distinguished between Carex hirsutella Carex complanata Torr. & Hook. Despite this very subtle difference, AFLP reveal genetic these two taxa. Contrary assertions previous authors, we found no evidence introgression among C. complanata, C. caroliniana, C. bushii. Relatively high variation within C. hirsutella may be an indication gene-flow one or more other species, but further work is necessary clarify issue. document six previously undescribed sterile nearly hy...