Dioecious Poa species diversification parallels dune formation in Atlantic coastal ecosystems

The southern Atlantic coastal dunes of South America formed ca. 6000-4000 years ago. Within this dynamic landscape, three dioecious species of Poa occur: Poa lanuginosa, a widely distributed species, and two dune endemics, Poa bergii and Poa schizantha, occupying contrasting microhabitats from foredunes to interdunal slacks and inland grasslands. We investigated the evolutionary relationships, population structure, and extent of introgression among these dune-adapted grasses, conducting a population-level phylogenomic analysis using genotyping-by-sequencing. Genome-wide data provided robust phylogenetic resolution, whereas Neighbor-Net analyses revealed reticulate relationships and admixture among taxa. We tested introgression, and significant signals of gene flow were detected across major groups. Bayesian and discriminant analysis of principal components analyses identified distinct genetic lineages within both dune endemics. Poa bergii comprised three geographically structured genetic groups, and P. schizantha showed clear internal differentiation despite its restricted distribution. Instead, P. lanuginosa has a broad distribution across both dune and continental habitats and was inferred to be a paraphyletic lineage that may represent the ancestral lineage of both dune endemic species. These distinct patterns of divergence and population structure indicate species-specific evolutionary responses to a recent and dynamic dune landscape, in which habitat heterogeneity and differential environmental tolerance have driven lineage diversification. Together, our findings highlight the role of coastal dune dynamics in recent adaptation and speciation. Ongoing gene flow alongside clear lineage structure is consistent with recent and still incomplete speciation among these dune species. Poa schizantha emerged as the most differentiated lineage, combining morphological distinctiveness, ecological specialization, and strong genomic structure. Our results emphasize the importance of integrating population genetics into conservation strategies to preserve both endemic taxa and ongoing evolutionary processes in threatened coastal environments.