Recent hybrid speciation in Cardamine (Brassicaceae) – conversion of nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences in statu nascendi

Abstract

 The very recent allopolyploid speciation of Cardamine insueta and Cardamine schulzii is well documented. We used this system for a further understanding of the evolution of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA in recently formed hybrids. The ITS sequencing of the two parent species and the alloploid offspring suggests a synopsis of the types of ITS evolution, reported so far in the literature. We detected homogenization to one parental ITS type with a very strong bias to the maternal sequence. Nevertheless, maintainance of both parental ITS sequences in the alloploids was also recorded. Our data suggest: (1) rapid genomic change in newly formed alloploids, and (2) a multiple origin of C. insueta and C. schulzii.