Data_Sheet_1_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).PDF

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.

岛屿为演化与保护领域的整合研究提供了独特契机：其边界清晰明确，地质年代通常精准可控，且众多分类群（taxa）正面临极度濒危的生存威胁。本研究将形态学研究、杂交实验与高通量基因分型平台相结合，旨在厘清加那利群岛茄属（Solanum）濒危单系高多样支系的分类关系，该区域目前已被认定存在3个特有分类群。研究开展了种间杂交实验，并通过同质园（common-garden）实验法评估形态性状的表达模式。本研究使用搭载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* 以及*S. vespertilio* subsp. *doramae*。尽管形态学与繁育研究显示类群间存在清晰差异及部分连续变异，但种间杂交后代可育，且在活力性状上表现出杂种优势。SPET基因分型共获得1421个高质量SNPs，结果支持存在4个而非3个独立的分类单元，这些单元与岛屿形成后的地质、生态及地理因素紧密相关。鉴于所有分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审慎。保护策略需充分考量种群间的有性生殖系统、繁育模式及基因型分布，方能成功保护并恢复受威胁/濒危的岛屿分类群，加那利群岛茄属类群便是这一保护原则的典型范例。