Phylogenetic reconstruction and diversification patterns of Liliaceae: Insights into their evolutionary history
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Liliaceae is primarily distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere with important horticultural and medicinal values. This study reconstructed a robust nuclear phylogeny of Liliaceae using Angiosperms-353 genes with comprehensive sampling of all 15 genera to explore its diversification and evolutionary history. Extensive introgression events were detected in the subfamily Lilioideae, including historical gene flow between ancestors of Calochortus and Medeola . Biogeographic analyses suggest a Late Cretaceous origin of Liliaceae in East Asia, followed by diversification centered in East Asia, the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau–Hengduan Mountains, and Eurasia. A recurrent duplication signal centred at approximately 0.67 Ks across major Lilioideae lineages supports a putative ancient large-scale duplication associated with the early diversification of the subfamily. Rapid diversification within Lilieae (e.g. Lilium and Fritillaria ) occurred during the Eocene and Oligocene–Miocene, suggesting that ancient genome duplication may have provided genomic potential for subsequent lineage expansion rather than acting as a direct trigger.
Source: Acta Botanica Yunnanica
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7224859778