Phylogenomic analysis of transcriptome data elucidates co‐occurrence of a paleopolyploid event and the origin of bimodal karyotypes in Agavoideae (Asparagaceae)

Abstract

We found that polyploidy and the origin of the Yucca-Agave bimodal karyotype co-occur on the same lineage consistent with the hypothesis that the bimodal karyotype is a consequence of allopolyploidy. We discuss this and alternative mechanisms for the formation of the Yucca-Agave bimodal karyotype. More generally, we illustrate how the use of next-generation sequencing technology is a cost-efficient means for assessing genome evolution in nonmodel species.