Phylogenetic Analysis and Biodiversity of Tulipa L. (Liliaceae)
Summary
The genus Tulipa, a member of the lily family (Liliaceae), comprises over a hundred perennial bulbous species renowned for their horticultural value and striking floral diversity. With centres of speciation in Central Asia—particularly the Tien Shan and Pamir ranges—Tulipa displays a complex biogeographic history that spans Europe, North Africa and Asia. Modern phylogenetic analyses integrate nuclear markers (e.g. internal transcribed spacer, ITS) and chloroplast sequences (e.g. rbcL, matK, trnH–psbA) to reconstruct evolutionary relationships, revealing two principal clades broadly corresponding to the subgenera Eriostemones and Tulipa. Comparative plastome sequencing has confirmed a conserved quadripartite genome structure, while variation in simple sequence repeats and intergenic regions offers high-resolution insight at the population level. These molecular frameworks have resolved longstanding taxonomic ambiguities, unveiled natural hybridisation events, and established the genus’s sister relationships with Amana and Erythronium. By elucidating patterns of species divergence and historical dispersal, such studies inform strategies for the conservation of rare and endemic taxa, guide sustainable horticultural breeding and enhance our understanding of plant diversification in temperate Eurasia.
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Phylogenetic Analysis and Biodiversity of Tulipa L. (Liliaceae) publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phylogenetic analysis and biodiversity of tulipa l. (liliaceae) across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phylogenetic analysis: Reconstruction of evolutionary relationships among species using genetic or morphological data.
DNA barcoding: Use of standardised genetic markers to identify and distinguish species.
Plastid genome: The circular DNA molecule in plant chloroplasts containing genes for photosynthesis and other functions.
Internal transcribed spacer (ITS): A region of nuclear ribosomal DNA commonly used in plant phylogenetics for its variability.
Simple sequence repeat (SSR): Short, tandemly repeated DNA motifs used as molecular markers for population and genetic diversity studies.
References
- Phylogenetic Analysis of Rare and Endangered Tulipa Species (Liliaceae) of Kazakhstan Based on Universal Barcoding Markers. Biology (2024).
- Phylogeny and Comparative Analysis for the Plastid Genomes of Five Tulipa (Liliaceae). BioMed Research International (2021).
- A phylogenetic analysis of the wild Tulipa species (Liliaceae) of Kosovo based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequence. Advanced Genetics (2021).
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