Abstract
The Bonin Islands, comprising of the Mukojima, Chichijima, and Hahajima
Islands, are known for their isolated and distinctive habitats, hosting
a diverse array of endemic flora and fauna. In these islands, adaptive
radiation has played a remarkable role in speciation, particularly
evident in the Callicarpa genus that is represented by three
species: Callicarpa parvifolia and Callicarpa glabra
exclusive to the Chichijima Islands, and Callicarpa subpubescens,
distributed across the entire Bonin Islands. Notably, C.
subpubescens exhibits multiple ecotypes, differing in leaf hair
density, flowering time, and tree size. In this study, we used
double-digest restriction site–associated DNA sequencing to analyze
species, ecotypes and geographical variations within Callicarpa
in the Bonin Islands. We aimed to determine detailed phylogenetic
relationships, investigate species and ecotype diversification patterns,
estimate divergence times, and explore cryptic species using genetic and
phenotypic data. Genetic analysis revealed that C. parvifolia and
C. glabra formed a single, distinct genetic groups. Conversely,
C. subpubescens showed seven genetic groups corresponding to
different ecotypes and regions, with one ecotype derived from the
hybridization of two others. Phylogenetic and population demography
analyses, focusing on six Chichijima and Hahajima Islands–based
species/ecotypes, indicated the divergence of an ecotype adapted to tall
mesic forests approximately 170 kya, whereas the other five
species/ecotypes diverged nearly simultaneously around 73–77 kya.
Environmental changes during the glacial period likely contributed to
this process of adaptive radiation. Moreover, leaf morphology, flowering
time, and genetic analyses suggested the presence of two cryptic species
within C. subpubescens.