Genome size in Hieracium subgenus Hieracium (Asteraceae) is strongly correlated with major phylogenetic groups

Abstract

Phylogeny was the most important factor explaining the pattern of genome size variation in Hieracium sensu stricto (Hieracium subgen. Hieracium), species of western European origin having significantly lower genome size in comparison with those of eastern European origin.

Any correlation with ecogeographic variables, including longitude, was outweighed by the divergence of the genus into two major phylogenetic lineages.

Keywords

• genome size
• phylogeny
• polyploidy