¿Está el proceso de diversificación del complejo de especies Alstroemeria hookeri lodd. realmente configurada como un singámeon?
Date
2026
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
La evolución y el surgimiento de nuevas especies en plantas han sido un tema central en biología evolutiva, donde la hibridación y la introgresión promueven la diversificación y la formación de complejos de especies con límites difusos. En estos sistemas, el flujo génico persistente y la ausencia de barreras reproductivas pueden generar redes de conectividad evolutiva descritas como singámeon, en las que múltiples taxones mantienen conectividad genética parcial e impiden su segregación como especies independientes. En este contexto, el complejo Alstroemeria hookeri (Alstroemeriaceae) constituye un sistema ideal, ya que los taxones del norte presentan límites genéticos y fenotípicos poco claros y superposición de caracteres.
Este estudio integró datos fenotípicos y genéticos para evaluar la variación entre A. hookeri subsp. recumbens y especies relacionadas. Los análisis morfométricos revelaron variación continua y morfologías de tipo mosaico, mientras que la colorimetría mostró diferenciación parcial con solapamiento intra- e interespecífico. Los datos genéticos evidenciaron estructura débil y flujo génico entre linajes. En conjunto, los resultados indican ausencia de discontinuidades fenotípicas y genéticas, lo cual es consistente con un singámeon, donde los taxones forman una red de linajes interconectados, contribuyendo a la incertidumbre taxonómica en sistemas de diversificación reticulada.
The evolution and emergence of new plant species have been a central topic in evolutionary biology, where hybridization and introgression promote diversification and the formation of species complexes with diffuse boundaries. In these systems, persistent gene flow and the absence of complete reproductive barriers can generate networks of evolutionary connectivity described as a syngameon, in which multiple taxa maintain partial genetic connectivity and prevent their segregation into independent species. In this context, the Alstroemeria hookeri complex (Alstroemeriaceae) represents an ideal system, as northern taxa exhibit unclear genetic and phenotypic boundaries and overlapping characters. This study integrated phenotypic and genetic data to evaluate variation among A. hookeri subsp. recumbens and related species. Morphometric analyses revealed continuous variation and mosaic-like morphologies, while colorimetry showed partial differentiation with intra- and interspecific overlap. Genetic data indicated weak structure and gene flow among lineages. Overall, the results indicate an absence of phenotypic and genetic discontinuities, consistent with a syngameon, in which taxa form a network of interconnected lineages, contributing to taxonomic uncertainty in systems undergoing reticulate diversification.
The evolution and emergence of new plant species have been a central topic in evolutionary biology, where hybridization and introgression promote diversification and the formation of species complexes with diffuse boundaries. In these systems, persistent gene flow and the absence of complete reproductive barriers can generate networks of evolutionary connectivity described as a syngameon, in which multiple taxa maintain partial genetic connectivity and prevent their segregation into independent species. In this context, the Alstroemeria hookeri complex (Alstroemeriaceae) represents an ideal system, as northern taxa exhibit unclear genetic and phenotypic boundaries and overlapping characters. This study integrated phenotypic and genetic data to evaluate variation among A. hookeri subsp. recumbens and related species. Morphometric analyses revealed continuous variation and mosaic-like morphologies, while colorimetry showed partial differentiation with intra- and interspecific overlap. Genetic data indicated weak structure and gene flow among lineages. Overall, the results indicate an absence of phenotypic and genetic discontinuities, consistent with a syngameon, in which taxa form a network of interconnected lineages, contributing to taxonomic uncertainty in systems undergoing reticulate diversification.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al grado de Magíster en Ciencias con mención en Botánica.
Keywords
Alstroemeria, Colorimetría, Genética vegetal, Fenotipo