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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The role of hybridization in the evolution ofCousinias.str.(Asteraceae, Cardueae)

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Abstract Mehregan I. & Kadereit J. W.: The role of hybridization in the evolution of Cousinia s.str. (Asteraceae, Cardueae). — Willdenowia 39: 35–47. — Online ISSN 1868-6397; © 2009 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.39.39102 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) In order to assess the possible role of interspecific hybridization for the evolution of the high diversity of Cousinia subg. Cousinia (Cousinia s.str., c. 600 species), we examined the frequency of hybridization in this taxon. For this, hypothetical hybrid combinations published in the literature (28 putative hybrids and 11 intermediate forms) were critically examined. In addition, two hybrids were identified in the present study by their morphological intermediacy, geographical distribution, additivity of ITS sequences and reduced pollen fertility, and were included in our analysis. To examine the relationships among the presumably hybridizing species, a Bayesian analysis of nuclear-ribosomal ITS of 214 species of Cousinia and related genera was p...