A Phylogenetic and Morphological Evolution Study of L. in China Using RAD-Seq.

L. belongs to the Grossulariaceae family and has important edible, medicinal, ornamental, and landscaping values. Taxonomic classification within this genus is difficult due to its large variety of species, wide distribution, large morphological variations, and presence of two complex taxonomic groups with bisexual or unisexual flowers. Our study aims to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of L. taxa in China, and further, to provide a reference for a revised global classification of it. The phylogenetic analysis of 52 L. samples from 30 species was constructed based on restriction site-associated DNA sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Afterward, two important taxonomic characters were selected for ancestral state reconstruction over the molecular phylogeny. The results showed that the 52 samples could be divided into six branches, i.e., six subgenera, which caused some controversy regarding the morphological classification of L. in China. The molecular phylogeny supported the separation of subg. from subg. and subg. from subg. and validated the rationale for recognizing subg. as an independent subgenus, the rationality of which was further verified by the reconstruction of ancestor traits. Gene flow among L. was identified and further confirmed our results.