AFLP markers in the detection of Scirpus × mariqueter (CYPERACEAE) hybrid in China

Scirpus × mariqueter Tang & F.T. Wang (CYPERACEAE) is a pioneer plant of the tidal zone of estuaries of East Asia. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) were used to infer the relationship between S. × mariqueter and its putative progenitors, Scirpus planiculmis F. Schmidt and Scirpus triqueter L. The genetic distance between S. × mariqueter and S. triqueter was much higher than that between S. × mariqueter and S. planiculmis, and samples of S. × mariqueter and those of S. planiculmis did not form a monophyletic group, while the S. triqueter group formed a distinct monophyletic group. However, we also detected an apparent clustering of individuals of S. × mariqueter and S. planiculmis separately. Our results disprove the hybrid origin of S. × mariqueter and rather suggest that it is more closely related to S. planiculmis.