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Strong genetic differentiation between Gymnadenia conopsea and G. densiflora despite morphological similarity

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Abstract

The fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea s.l. is a controversial taxon with two commonly distinguished species, G. conopsea s.str. and G. densiflora. Despite morphological similarity, differentiation between the taxa has been reported for several characters; however, character variation within taxa has obviated a clear consensus. We assessed ITS sequences, microsatellite variation and chromosome numbers on the European scale (1,420 samples) and conducted morphological analyses for 626 samples from Germany. ITS analysis revealed a 2% nucleotide divergence between the taxa, similar to the divergence between other Gymnadenia species. The ITS sequences of G. densiflora form a well-supported monophyletic group sharing a most recent common ancestor with G. nigra and G. austriaca. Thus, G. conopsea and G. densiflora are not sister species, and a species rank is supported for G. densiflora (Wahlenb.) Dietrich and G. conopsea (L.) R.Br. s.str. This was confirmed by the microsatellite analysis, which revealed a strong genetic differentiation between the taxa because of largely non-overlapping sets of alleles. Chromosome numbers showed that G. conopsea was either diploid or tetraploid, whereas G. densiflora was diploid throughout. Morphologically, the taxa differed significantly in the mean value of a number of diagnostic characters. However, a discriminant analysis showed that the morphological variability is substantial, and on the individual level an unequivocal assignment is not possible as 96% of G. conopsea, but only 77% of G. densiflora could be assigned correctly. Further studies are needed on character variation within and among species and ploidy levels to allow for a better identification of the genetically differentiated but morphologically similar taxa.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to local AHOs (Arbeitskreis Heimische Orchideen) and their members for their support during this work. Special thanks to K. Heyde, W. Mohrman, P. Rode, J. Passin, P. Steinfeld and F. Opitz for locating plant populations; and to W. Dworschak, O. Gerbaud, A. Hoch, H. Kerschbaumsteiner, S. Klemich, P. Kuss and M. L. Perko for providing samples. Thanks to Jan Hanspach for statistical advice and two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments. This work was supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF-FKz 01LC0018A) within the framework of BIOLOG-SUBICON (Successional Change and Biodiversity Conservation).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Theodor-Lieser Str. 4, 06120, Halle, Germany

    Christiane Stark, Stefan G. Michalski & Walter Durka

  2. Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Slawkowska 17, 31-016, Krakow, Poland

    Wiesław Babik

  3. Department of Systematic Botany, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Neuwerk 21, 06108, Halle, Germany

    Grit Winterfeld

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  1. Christiane Stark
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Correspondence to Christiane Stark.

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Stark, C., Michalski, S.G., Babik, W. et al. Strong genetic differentiation between Gymnadenia conopsea and G. densiflora despite morphological similarity. Plant Syst Evol 293, 213–226 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-011-0439-x

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