Gene lineage analysis in populations of Helianthus niveus and H. petiolaris (Asteraceae)

Helianthus petiolaris and H. niveus are polytypic species which are morphologically distinct at the periphery of their ranges but intergrade in areas of sympatry. Helianthus niveus includes both annual and perennial members, whereas H. petiolaris is strictly annual. Chloroplast DNA and nuclear ribosomal DNA restriction site data were used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of populations of the two species. Cladistic analyses reveal the following: (1) neither species is monophyletic; (2) the annual habit is derived once in this complex; and (3) the region of morphological intergradation appears to be primary in origin. The significance of interbreeding versus common descent in defining species concepts is discussed in relation to the above cladistic analyses.