title: Evidence for progenitor-derivative speciation in sexually deceptive orchids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexually deceptive orchids of the genus Ophrys use mimicry of pollinator females to attract specific pollinators. Pollinator shifts may drive speciation in Ophrys, since novel pollinators may in principle act as isolating factors immediately. It is thus possible that evolution of novel species occurs rapidly and with a progenitor-derivative pattern. The aims of this study are to compare genetic structure and diversity among widespread and geographically restricted Ophrys taxa, to test whether genetic structure is associated with specific pollinators, and to investigate whether any widespread species may have acted as a progenitor for the evolution of more restricted taxa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Genetic differentiation and diversity were investigated in O. leucadica and O. cinereophila, the two taxa of the Ophrys fusca sensu lato complex widespread in the Aegean, and three geographically restricted taxa from Rhodes, O. attaviria, O. parvula and O. persephonae, all differing in their specific pollinators. This was done using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) DNA fingerprinting, and sequencing of the low-copy nuclear gene LEAFY (LFY).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All taxa were found to be separate genetic entities, with O. leucadica forming two geographic groups from the west and east of the Aegean. Genetic structure was significantly shaped by pollinators and geography, and comparison of sequence and AFLP data revealed ancestral polymorphisms shared among several taxa. Among the sampled taxa, O. leucadica harbours the greatest genetic differentiation and geographic structure, and the highest genetic diversity. Part of the genome of O. parvula, endemic to Rhodes, may be derived from O. leucadica.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pollinators probably influence the genetic structure of the investigated Ophrys species. The genetic pattern identified is consistent with O. leucadica being the oldest of the sampled taxa, making O. leucadica a candidate progenitor species from which more restricted taxa such as O. parvula may have evolved.
authors: Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 30 Vienna, Austria. philipp.schlueter@systbot.uzh.ch
authors: Philipp M
authors: PM
authors: Schlüter
authors: Paulo M
authors: PM
authors: Ruas
authors: Gudrun
authors: G
authors: Kohl
authors: Claudete F
authors: CF
authors: Ruas
authors: Tod F
authors: TF
authors: Stuessy
authors: Hannes F
authors: HF
authors: Paulus
mesh_terms: D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D001483:Base Sequence; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis; D017343:Genes, Plant; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005843:Geography; D006115:Greece; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D029595:Orchidaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D054817:Pollination; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant