Data from: Exploring the possible role of hybridization in the evolution of photosynthetic pathways in Flaveria (Asteraceae), the prime model of C4 photosynthesis evolution

Flaveria (Asteraceae) is the prime model for the study of C4
photosynthesis evolution and seems to support a stepwise acquisition of
the pathway through C3-C4 intermediate phenotypes, still existing in
Flaveria today. Molecular phylogenies of Flaveria based on concatenated
data matrices are currently used to reconstruct the complex sequence of
trait shifts during C4 evolution. To assess the possible role of
hybridization in C4 evolution in Flaveria, we re-analyzed transcriptome
data of 17 Flaveria species to infer the extent of gene tree discordance
and possible reticulation events. We found massive gene tree discordance
as well as reticulation along the backbone and within clades containing
C3-C4 intermediate and C4-like species. An early hybridization event
between two C3 species might have triggered C4 evolution in the genus. The
clade containing all C4 species plus the C4-like species F. vaginata and
F. palmeri is highly supported in our phylogenetic analyses, but it might
be of hybrid origin involving F. angustifolia and F. sonorensis (both
C3-C4 intermediate) as parental lineages. Hybridization seems to be a
driver of C4 evolution in Flaveria and likely promoted the fast
acquisition of C4 traits. This new insight can be used in further
exploring C4 evolution and can inform C4 bioengineering efforts.