Abstract
Plantago hakusanensis (2n = 4x = 24) is an endangered endemic
species that occurs in subalpine zones in Japan. To clarify the
unresolved taxonomic status of P. hakusanensis within the
subgenus Plantago, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on
the nuclear-encoded single-copy gene sucrose–proton symporter 1
(SUC1) using 60 previously reported alleles from 24 taxa in the
subgenus Plantago. We found that P. hakusanensis was
closely related to P. asiatica var. densiuscula. The
phylogenetic relationships between P. hakusanensis and P.
asiatica var. densiuscula were examined by analyses of the
SUC1 nuclear regions and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of
rDNA, genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping (via
multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing), as
well as additional analyses of three chloroplast (cp) regions
(trnL-F, ndhF-rpl32, and rpl32-trnL) in 25
individuals of P. hakusanensis and 53 individuals of P.
asiatica var. densiuscula. Monophyly of P. hakusanensis
was suggested by the nuclear marker analyses, whereas the cp haplotypes
of P. hakusanensis were shared with P. asiatica var.
densiuscula and P. asiatica in China. The disparity
between the nuclear and cp data may be explained by introgression of the
cp genome (cp capture) during Quaternary climate changes. Our results
provide (i) a molecular phylogenetic basis for the taxonomy and (ii)
insight into the intraspecific diversification history of P.
hakusanensis.