Whole plastid genomes and nrDNA of Diospyros species from New Caledonia

Some plant groups, especially on islands, have been shaped by strong ancestral bottlenecks and rapid, recent radiation of phenotypic characters. Turner et al. have used complete plastid genomes and nrDNA to unravel phylogenetic relationships between 22 closely related Diospyros species from New Caledonia.

The structure of the phylogenetic trees constructed indicates those species as being most probably the result of rapid radiation. A significant geographic clustering of the genetic information, especially from plastid genomes, was found. This could indicate transfer of plastid genomes due to hybridization and introgression following secondary contact.