Article
Genomic structure, introgression, niche overlap and morphological variation challenge species delimitation in Thymus sect. Mastichina.
Annals of botany - 22 Sept 2026
Nieto-Lugilde Diego, Del Valle José Carlos, Martín-Carretié Esther María, Doblas-Pruvost David, Williams-Marland Billy, Ortiz María Ángeles, Jiménez-López Francisco Javier, López-Tirado Javier, García-Cárdenas Francisco José, Berjano Regina
Abstract excerpt
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Delimitation of species remains a major challenge in understanding biodiversity, particularly in recently diverged lineages, where extensive morphological variability complicates taxonomic inference. In this study, we investigate patterns of morphological and ecological variation within Thymus sect. Mastichina, a Mediterranean lineage that includes the endangered species Thymus albicans....
Read the complete abstract on PubMedTopics
- Genome, Plant
- Flowers
- Genetic Variation
- Ecosystem
- Phenotype