From distyly to stigma-height dimorphism: phylogenetic insights into the evolutionary breakdown of distyly in Jasminum

Background and Aims Distylous polymorphisms (distyly) are adaptations for plants to improve efficiency of cross-pollination and reduce pollen wastage. Theoretical models suggest that distyly evolves from stylar monomorphism via an intermediate stage of stigma-height dimorphism (SHD), however, this evolutionary scenario is only observed in few distylous lineages. The genus Jasminum have many species exhibit either distyly or SHD, providing an ideal opportunity to test models of the evolution of distyly. Focusing on the evolution of distyly, we investigated floral morphs and evaluated the occurrence of distyly and SHD in Jasminum using phylogenetic reconstruction and morphological analysis. Methods We investigated floral morphs and evaluated the occurrence of distyly and stigma-height dimorphism through morphology observation. To perform phylogenetic analysis, we sequenced plastomes of forty species from Jasminum and Chrysojasminum using Illumina next generation sequencing, and then constructed phylogenetic tree using maximum likelihood method and Bayesian inference. Based on the phylogenetic tree, we inferred the ancestral floral type through ancestral reconstruction. Key Results Our results suggest that the distyly originated in the common ancestor of Jasminum and Chrysojasminum. SHD occurs in several Jasminum species scattered in different clades of the phylogenetic tree, suggesting multiple independent reversions from distyly back to SHD. However, this transition is not associated with the loss of ancillary polymorphisms, as all the species examined in this study well retain dimorphic traits for other floral organs such as pollens and stigmas. Moreover, most species maintain strict heteromorphic self-incompatibility, while J. officinale has lost or at least partially lost self-incompatibility, suggesting that distyly is not always linked to self-incompatibility. Conclusions In Jasminum, breakdown of distyly resulted in evolutionary transitions to stigma-height dimorphism for multiple times, suggesting that distyly is not a stable floral polymorphism under certain selective forces. These findings advance our understanding on the evolution of distyly and plant reproductive systems.