Polyploidy, defined as multiplication of the whole chromosome complement, is arguably the single most important mechanism in plant speciation and diversification. Herben et al. perform phylogenetic regressions of clonal...
Tag - polyploidy
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The evolutionary processes of apomictic brambles
Asexual reproduction is relatively common in higher plants and comprises vegetative reproduction or clonal reproduction through seeds (apomixis or agamospermy). Apomixis is found in less than 1% of angiosperms and...
Abelia hybridization and introgression
Landrein et al. explore the genetic and morphological consequences of natural selection and selective breeding in the genus Abelia (Caprifoliaceae). The genus comprises ornamental shrubs, endemic to China, that have...
Polyploidy and interspecific hybridization shape adaptation, speciation and evolution
About half of all higher plant species are recognizable as evolutionarily recent polyploids, where multiple whole genomes or sets of chromosomes have come together from close ancestors. Additionally, over evolutionary...
Do floral and niche shifts favour the establishment of new polyploids?
Polyploidization plays a critical role in plant evolution. The majority of neopolyploids do not become established, either because they have fewer potential mates, or may not be able to successfully compete with co...
Correlations of polyploidy, apomixis and alpine environmental gradients
In a recent article published in AoB PLANTS, Schinkel et al. present a study on geographical parthenogenesis, an enigmatic and much disputed phenomenon that involves closely related sexual and apomictic (asexually...
AoBPLANTS
Trait responses of invasive aquatic macrophyte congeners: colonizing diploid outperforms polyploidy
Polyploidy (multiple copies of whole genomes) is over-represented in invasive plants and thought to promote their success in novel environments. Understanding functional traits supporting colonization can provide a...
Phylogeny and genome sizes of Betula
The genus Betula (birches) is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere from the arctic to the tropics. Its woody species are an important component of many ecosystems, and of economic value. The genus was recently...
Correlated polymorphism in cytotype and sexual system
Polyploidy has important effects on plant reproductive systems and previously has been implicated in the evolution of dimorphic reproductive strategies. Miller et al. use flow cytometry, observations of pollen...
Phylogeography and reproduction modes in Limonium spp.
The genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) has long been recognized to have sexual and apomictic (asexual seed formation) modes of reproduction.
Diversity and relationships of Crocus sativus and its relatives
High levels of polymorphism exist within and between sexually reproducing Crocus species except 17 C. sativus accessions, where polymorphisms are absent.
Genome size, ploidy level and reproductive mode of Sorbus
The authors find that the coexistence of apomictic tetraploids and sexual diploids drives the production of novel polyploid cytotypes in S. austriaca.
DNA barcodes from four loci provide poor resolution of taxonomic groups in the genus Crataegus
The leaves and fruits of some of the approximately 230 species of hawthorn (Crataegus) yield natural health products with significant therapeutic effects on symptoms of cardiovascular disease. DNA barcoding could be a...
Floral colour evolution in Nicotiana polyploids
Do floral colour shifts accompany allopolyploidy (interspecific hybridization and genome multiplication) in the genus Nicotiana (Solanaceae)?
