Data from: Molecular variation and phylogeography within European Isothecium alopecuroides and Pseudisothecium myosuroides (Bryophyta, Lembophyllaceae)

Earlier studies on Isothecium s.l. suggested potential interchange of
genetic material between species that are nowadays known to belong to
separate genera. In this study, we analyze the molecular variation in
three molecular markers (nuclear gdp; mitochondrial nad5; and plastid
trnG) in a wide selection of Isothecium alopecuroides and Pseudisothecium
myosuroides specimens to infer whether this exchange of genetic material
is frequent. In addition, we explore the phylogeographic structure of
these two species in Europe. Our results show repeated genetic interchange
for the nuclear and mitochondrial markers in both species, with
intergeneric hybridization as the most probable explanation. The genetic
lineages found indicate a complex biogeographical history for I.
alopecuroides, including both postglacial immigration from different
glacial refugia and developing haplotypes potentially adapted to cold
climates. As for P. myosuroides, genetic variants could either indicate a
postglacial immigration history or adaptation to oceanic conditions.
Further studies including a larger set of more variable molecular markers
could help to reach final conclusions on the results here presented.