Molecular evidence for the hybrid origin of species in the soft coral genus Alcyonium (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Octocorallia)

摘要: Several recent studies have suggested that hybridization may play a previously unrecognized and important role in the evolution of corals. Our observations polymorphic recombinant sequences multicopy ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region possible hybrid origin two European soft coral species, Alcyonium hibernicum Bellonella bocagei. To examine this possibility further we cloned sequenced ITS-1 from multiple individuals populations these species as well sympatric congeners, A. coralloides sp. M2. Phylogenetic analyses separated observed sequence variants into distinct clades. All belonged to clade A, while M2 had only B sequences. A majority individuals, however, contained both were identical predominant found M2, respectively. This pattern additivity suggests originated cross between hypothesis is supported by its unusual mode reproduction (meiotic parthenogenesis). The variant B. bocagei was unique, derived sequence; addition, most also copies identified types. presence genome be product past events within clade. Reticulate explain failure several previous resolve phylogeny four species.