ABSTRACT--This phylogenetic study focuses on a subset of the species in Elymus – specifically, the endemic Asian tetraploids presumed to combine the St genome from Pseudoroegneria with the Y genome from an unknown donor. The primary goals were to (1) determine whether the St and Y
genomes are derived from phylogenetically distinct donors; (2) identify
the closest relative, and potentially the likely donor, of the Y genome; and (3) interpret variation among StStYY
species in terms of multiple origins and/or introgression. The goals
were addressed using phylogenetic analyses of sequences from three
low-copy nuclear genes: phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, β-amylase, and
granule-bound starch synthase I. Data sets include 16 StStYY
individuals representing nine species, along with a broad sample of
representatives from most of the monogenomic (i.e., non-allopolyploid)
genera in the tribe. To briefly summarize the results: (1) the data
clearly support an allopolyploid origin for the Asian tetraploids,
involving two distinct donors; (2) the Y genome was contributed by a single donor, or multiple closely-related donors; (3) the phylogenetic position of the Elymus Y
genome varies among the three trees and its position is not strongly
supported, so the identity of the donor remains a mystery; and (4)
conflicts among the gene trees with regard to the St-genome sequences suggest introgression involving both Elymus and Pseudoroegneria.