Intersectional hybrids of Carex remota with C. otrubae and C. vulpina (Cyperaceae) in Europe

Abstract

Carex vulpina and C. otrubae are closely related and morphologically similar species that hybridize with C. remota. The spontaneous appearance of hybrids can cause difficulties in the taxonomic treatment of this group. Morphological separation of the examined species and hybrids had been tested using discriminant function analysis (DFA). We have also analysed the effect of DNA barcoding on hybrid identification from the perspective of machine learning approach (MLA). Hybrids were investigated in terms of three barcodes sequence (ITS, matK, rbcL) by means of the BLOG and WEKA (MLA). Our results provide the first insights into the morphological and genetic relationships between the studied species and their hybrids. Morphological analysis showed traits useful in the identification of hybrids, i.e. dark brown usually fibrous basal sheaths and a dorsally split beak in Carex remota × C. vulpina (inherited from C. vulpina), distinctly separated spikes, and a long bract in C. otrubae × C. remota (inherited from C. remota). Phylogenetic analysis also indicated a close relationship of Carex remota × C. vulpina with C. vulpina and C. otrubae × C. remota with C. remota. Moreover, we have presented here nomenclatural notes on the hybrids and typified the names Carex × crepinii [C. otrubae × C. remota] and Carex × kernii [Carex remota × C. vulpina].