Botanic Institute of Barcelona (IBB, CSIC-ICUB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
BioC-GReB, Laboratori de Botànica, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
PLoS One. 2018 Nov 28;13(11):e0207094. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207094. eCollection 2018.
The Strait of Gibraltar, the gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, has a convulsive geological history, with recurring closing and opening events since the late Miocene. As a consequence, this region has played a major role in the evolutionary history of many species. Cynara baetica (Compositae) is a diploid perennial herb distributed in both sides of this strait. It is currently subdivided into two subspecies: C. baetica subsp. baetica for the Spanish populations, and C. baetica subsp. maroccana for the Moroccan ones. Following three different approximations of species delimitation, including phylogenetic and population genetic analyses (based on three AFLP primer combinations and two intergenic spacers of cpDNA), ecological niche modeling (ENM) and morphological studies, this taxon is investigated and reinterpreted. The results obtained showed a clear genetic, morphological and ecological differentiation between the two taxa and the important role played by the Strait of Gibraltar as a geographical barrier. Based on this evidence, the current taxonomic treatment is modified (both taxa should recover their specific rank) and specific conservation guidelines are proposed for the newly delimited taxa.
直布罗陀海峡是连接大西洋和地中海的门户，其地质历史具有痉挛性，自中新世晚期以来一直反复出现关闭和开放事件。因此，该地区在许多物种的进化历史中发挥了重要作用。Cynara baetica（菊科）是一种分布在这个海峡两岸的二倍体多年生草本植物。它目前分为两个亚种：C. baetica subsp. baetica 用于西班牙种群，C. baetica subsp. maroccana 用于摩洛哥种群。通过三种不同的物种划界方法，包括系统发育和种群遗传分析（基于三种 AFLP 引物组合和 cpDNA 的两个基因间间隔区）、生态位建模（ENM）和形态学研究，对这个分类群进行了调查和重新解释。所得结果表明，这两个分类群在遗传、形态和生态上存在明显的分化，直布罗陀海峡作为地理屏障发挥了重要作用。基于这一证据，对现行的分类处理方法进行了修改（两个分类群都应恢复其特定等级），并为新划定的分类群提出了具体的保护指南。
