Table_4_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.

岛屿因边界清晰、地质年代通常可精准确定，且诸多分类群（taxon）面临严重濒危风险，为采用整合式研究方法开展进化与保护研究提供了独特契机。本研究将形态学与杂交研究结合高通量基因分型平台，旨在厘清加那利群岛上濒危的单系且高度多样的茄属（Solanum）支系的亲缘关系，当前该区域已被认定存在3个特有分类群。研究人员开展了类群间杂交实验，并通过同质园实验法评估了形态性状的表达情况。依托包含5093个探针的茄子单引物富集技术（Single Primer Enrichment Technology, SPET）平台，研究人员对3个特有分类群的74个个体进行了单核苷酸多态性（Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, SNPs）分型采样，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与部分连续变异，但类群间杂交后代可育，且在活力性状上表现出杂种优势。SPET基因分型共检测到1421个高质量单核苷酸多态性位点，研究结果支持存在4个而非3个独立的分类学实体，这些实体与岛屿的出苗后地质、生态及地理因素相关联。鉴于所有类群间均不存在杂交障碍且存在分子差异，在种群管理中需格外审慎。保护策略必须纳入种群间的有性生殖与繁育系统以及基因型分布特征，才能成功保护和恢复受威胁/濒危的岛屿特有类群，加那利群岛的茄属类群便是这一议题的典型例证。