Evolution in the genus Baccharis L.: analysis of a homoploid complex based on genomic data using selected species in Chile

Hybridization is a common phenomenon in nature, occurring frequently across a wide range of plant species and contributing to the complexity of ecosystems. It serves as a crucial driver of evolutionary processes, enhancing genetic diversity and facilitating adaptation to changing environments. This thesis aims to unravel the mechanisms by which hybridization occurs and persists in nature, using a homoploid hybrid swarm involving three species of the genus Baccharis L. (Asteraceae) in Chile: Baccharis linearis, B. macraei, and B. vernalis. Utilizing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), the research analyzes the genetic composition, environmental constraints, and adaptive traits within this hybrid complex.