Molecular identification of hybridization and introgression in Bruguiera (Rhizophoraceae)

Abstract

Biodiversity of mangrove ecosystems is difficult to assess, at least partially due to the lack of genetic verification of morphology-based documentation of species. In addition to convergent evolution in morphology, the frequent appearance of new taxonomic entities through natural hybridization may also have contributed to the difficulty in identifying mangrove species. For example, morphological intermediates between sympatric Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Bruguiera sexangula have been reported as a variety of B. sexangula or a new hybrid species, B. × rhynchopetala. Molecular markers can ...