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Phylogeography of three closely related myrmecophytic pioneer tree species in SE Asia: implications for species delimitation

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Abstract

Members of the Euphorbiaceae are ecologically important elements of Southeast Asian forests. Species of the pioneer tree genus Macaranga, which is also known for its association with ants, are often abundant in disturbed areas. Phylogenetic studies suggested a recent radiation of section Pachystemon which comprises the majority of obligate myrmecophytes within Macaranga. In the present study, we analyzed the genetic structure of three closely related species of this section (M. constricta, M. griffithiana, and M. motleyana) with the aim of resolving their controversial taxonomy and historical biogeography. Chloroplast DNA haplotypes proved to be species-specific and showed a strong phylogeographic pattern. Nuclear microsatellite data supported the taxonomic distinctness of M. griffithiana and M. motleyana, but gave ambiguous results for M. constricta. Genetic differentiation was stronger each within M. griffithiana and M. motleyana than between M. constricta and M. griffithiana, highlighting problems of defining species boundaries. We found no indication for introgression or hybridization events. The high intraspecific morphological variation of the Bornean endemic M. motleyana was partly reflected by similar patterns of genetic variation. The pronounced genetic structure indicates a comparatively long diversification for this species. In contrast, the weak genetic differentiation within M. griffithiana, as well as the widespread distribution of its most common chloroplast haplotype from peninsular Malaysia up to Indochina, indicates a recent expansion in this area. Despite their morphological similarity and close relatedness, all species possess their own specific ant-partners with a corresponding distribution pattern.

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Acknowledgments

Permission to conduct research in Malaysia was kindly granted by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Kuala Lumpur and EPU in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as well as by the Danum Valley Management Committee and the Forest Department, Sarawak. We thank our colleagues in Malaysia, especially Dr. Rosli bin Hashim, Dr. Jamili Nais, Dr. Maklarin bin Lakim, and Dr. G. Reynolds for their support. We also thank LIPI for providing research permits for East Kalimantan, and our counterpart Kade Sidiyasa, who sadly passed away recently, and the Tropenbos Foundation for logistic help on site. Financial support by the German Research Foundation is gratefully acknowledged (grant We 1830/4, Fi 606/5). We thank Prof. Dr. K. E. Linsenmair for manifold support, Dr. K. Khoshbakht for the help with the molecular analyses, and Dr. N. Ruppert, M. Zirpel, Dr. T. Kenzo, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, and the Forest-Wildlife Research and Development Institute, Cambodia, for the supply of plant material. Dr. S. P. Quek kindly provided a photograph. We thank two anonymous referees for their constructive and valuable comments on a previous version of this manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. Ulrich Maschwitz

    Present address: , Anemonenweg 33, 63263, Neu-Isenburg, Germany

  2. Maryati Mohamed

    Present address: Fakulti Sains, Teknologi Dan Pembangunan Insan, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, 86400, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany

    Brigitte Fiala

  2. Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jln Tungku Link, Gadong, BE1410, Darussalam, Brunei

    Ferry Slik

  3. Systematics and Morphology of Plants, University of Kassel, 34132, Kassel, Germany

    Kurt Weising & Daniela Guicking

  4. Department of Biology, J.W. Goethe-University, Frankfurt/M, Germany

    Ulrich Maschwitz

  5. Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

    Maryati Mohamed

  6. Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, 25136, Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia

    Jamsari

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Brigitte Fiala and Daniela Guicking contributed equally to this work.

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Fiala, B., Slik, F., Weising, K. et al. Phylogeography of three closely related myrmecophytic pioneer tree species in SE Asia: implications for species delimitation. Org Divers Evol 16, 39–52 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-015-0254-2

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