Abstract:
A set of over 8000 Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers was tested for its utility in
high-resolution population and phylogenetic studies across a range of Eucalyptus taxa.
Small-scale population studies of E. camaldulensis, E. cladocalyx, E. globulus, E. grandis, E.
nitens, E. pilularis and E. urophylla demonstrated the potential of genome-wide genotyping
with DArT markers to differentiate species, to identify interspecific hybrids and to resolve
biogeographic disjunctions within species. The population genetic studies resolved
geographically partitioned clusters in E. camaldulensis, E. cladocalyx, E. globulus and E.
urophylla that were congruent with previous molecular studies. A phylogenetic study of 94
eucalypt species provided results that were largely congruent with traditional taxonomy and
ITS-based phylogenies, but provided more resolution within major clades than had been
obtained previously. Ascertainment bias (the bias introduced in a phylogeny from using
markers developed in a small sample of the taxa that are being studied) was not detected.
DArT offers an unprecedented level of resolution for population genetic, phylogenetic and
evolutionary studies across the full range of Eucalyptus species.
