Table_2_Fostering Conservation via an Integrated Use of Conventional Approaches and High-Throughput SPET Genotyping: A Case Study Using the Endangered Canarian Endemics Solanum lidii and S. vespertilio (Solanaceae).XLSX

Islands provide unique opportunities to integrated research approaches to study evolution and conservation because boundaries are circumscribed, geological ages are often precise, and many taxa are greatly imperiled. We combined morphological and hybridization studies with high-throughput genotyping platforms to streamline relationships in the endangered monophyletic and highly diverse lineage of Solanum in the Canarian archipelago, where three endemic taxa are currently recognized. Inter-taxa hybridizations were performed, and morphological expression was assessed with a common-garden approach. Using the eggplant Single Primer Enrichment Technology (SPET) platform with 5,093 probes, 74 individuals of three endemic taxa (Solanum lidii, S. vespertilio subsp. vespertilio, and S. vespertilio subsp. doramae) were sampled for SNPs. While morphological and breeding studies showed clear distinctions and some continuous variation, inter-taxon hybrids were fertile and heterotic for vigor traits. SPET genotyping revealed 1,421 high-quality SNPs and supported four, not three, distinct taxonomic entities associated with post-emergence geological, ecological and geographic factors of the islands. Given the lack of barriers to hybridization among all the taxa and their molecular differences, great care must be taken in population management. Conservation strategies must take account of the sexual and breeding systems and genotypic distribution among populations to successfully conserve and restore threatened/endangered island taxa, as exemplified by Solanum on the Canary Islands.

岛屿为整合式研究方法开展演化与保护相关研究提供了独特契机：其边界清晰可控，地质年代通常较为精准，且诸多分类群正面临严重生存危机。本研究将形态学、杂交实验与高通量基因分型平台相结合，以厘清加那利群岛（Canarian Archipelago）濒危单系且高度多样的茄属（Solanum）演化支系的分类关系——该区域目前已记录3个特有分类群。研究开展了类间杂交实验，并通过同质园（common-garden）实验评估了形态性状表现。本研究借助包含5093个探针的茄子单引物富集技术（Single Primer Enrichment Technology, SPET）平台，对3个特有分类群的74份个体样本进行了单核苷酸多态性（Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, SNPs）分型，这3个分类群分别为Solanum lidii、S. vespertilio subsp. vespertilio及S. vespertilio subsp. doramae。尽管形态学与繁育研究显示类群间存在明确分化及部分连续变异，但类间杂交后代可育，且在活力相关性状上呈现杂种优势。SPET基因分型共获得1421个高质量SNPs，分析结果支持存在4个而非3个独立的分类单元，这些单元与岛屿的出露后地质、生态及地理因素相关联。鉴于所有类群间不存在杂交障碍且存在分子分化，在种群管理中需格外谨慎。以加那利群岛茄属类群为例，成功保护及恢复受威胁/濒危岛屿特有分类群的保护策略，必须将种群间的有性繁育系统与基因型分布格局纳入考量。