Identification of independent evolutionary lineages is a modern challenge for biologists especially in crops with high potential. Molecular methods, usually used to explore intraspecific variation, also offer important information regarding how and when lineages have evolved and spread. Today, several tools to define the demarcation of lineages based on single or multi‐locus data are available, permitting objective results to be obtained. We tested nuclear and plastid loci using five different approaches to delimit the major lineages and estimate the divergence times in giant reed (Arundo donax L.). It is an emerging energy crop, widespread in sub‐tropical and temperate regions but particularly aggressive outside its native range. Our results support the presence of six lineages distributed from the Asian regions to the Mediterranean basin and indicate the western and southern edges of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau as the putative area of origin and source of ancient and cryptic lineages. We suppose it could be an area that has fertile populations. These results should be considered in breeding programmes to produce new cultivars, especially because the absence of fertility for Mediterranean giant reed lineages reduces the opportunity of crop improvement. Moreover, the description of multiple lineages and identifying its putative ancestral area may be helpful to researchers working on invasiveness management, phytoremediation programmes and conservation biology.

中文翻译：

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在巨型芦苇（Arundo donax L.）中检测到多种进化谱系：应用和进化观点

对于生物学家而言，尤其是在具有高潜力的农作物中，鉴定独立的进化谱系是生物学家的现代挑战。通常用于探索种内变异的分子方法，也提供有关谱系如何以及何时进化和扩散的重要信息。如今，可以使用多种工具来定义基于单或多位点数据的谱系划分，从而可以获得客观的结果。我们使用五种不同方法测试了核和质体基因座，以划定主要谱系，并估计了巨型芦苇（Arundo donax）的发散时间L.）。它是一种新兴的能源作物，广泛分布于亚热带和温带地区，但在其本国范围以外尤其具有侵略性。我们的结果支持从亚洲地区到地中海盆地分布的六种谱系的存在，并表明青藏高原的西部和南部边缘是古代和隐秘谱系的假定起源和起源地区。我们认为这可能是一个人口众多的地区。在培育新品种的育种计划中应考虑这些结果，尤其是因为缺少地中海巨型芦苇谱系的繁殖力会减少作物改良的机会。此外，描述多种谱系并确定其推测的祖先区域可能对从事侵袭性管理的研究人员有所帮助，