Molecular Phylogeny of Moonwort Ferns Across 365 Specimens

A molecular phylogeny analyzes 365 Botrychium fern specimens from five continents. The dataset includes genetic sequences from four chloroplast regions and allozyme profiles from 20 nuclear enzyme loci for 34 accepted and 13 putative new taxa. It provides evidence for the maternal lineages and polyploid origins within the genus.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct phylogenetic trees using the aligned 2,385 nucleotides from four chloroplast regions (matK intron, trnHGUG–psbA, trnLUAA–trnFGAA, rpL16 intron).
• Investigate polyploid origins by correlating chloroplast haplotype data with allozyme profiles from 20 nuclear enzyme loci.
• Analyze genetic diversity and haplotype distribution across the three major clades (Lanceolatum, Lunaria, Simplex-Campestre) and 15 subclades.
• Validate taxonomic hypotheses for the 13 putatively new taxa using the provided molecular sequence data.

Strengths

• Phylogenetic analysis based on 2,385 aligned nucleotides from four chloroplast markers.
• Comprehensive sampling of 365 specimens representing 34 of 35 accepted taxa and 13 putative new taxa across five continents.
• Includes complementary allozyme profile data from 20 nuclear enzyme loci for specimen characterization.

Limitations

• Dataset scope is limited to the Botrychium genus and does not include broader fern family comparisons.
• Genetic data is restricted to the specified chloroplast regions and allozyme markers; no whole-genome or transcriptome data is present.
• Temporal coverage of the collected specimens is not specified, potentially limiting evolutionary rate analyses.

Provenance

Source

Dryad digital repository.

Collection Method

Genetic sequencing of four chloroplast regions and electrophoretic allozyme analysis of 20 nuclear enzyme loci.

Freshness

Last updated 2019-06-25.

Geography

Specimens from Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America.