Mercurialis phylogeny, using sex-linked and autosomal loci

The plant genus Mercurialis includes dioecious, monoecious and androdioecious species (where males co-exist with hermaphrodites). Its diversification involved reticulate evolution via hybridisation and polyploidisation. The Y chromosome of the diploid species M. annua shows only mild signs of degeneration. We used sequence variation at a Y-linked locus in several species and at multiple autosomal and pseudoautosomal loci to investigate the origin and evolution of the Y chromosome across the genus.