Widespread co-occurrence of multiple ploidy levels in fragile ferns (Cystopteris fragilis complex, Cystopteridaceae) probably stems from similar ecology of cytotypes, their efficient dispersal and inter-ploidy hybridization

0510405 - BÚ 2020 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Hanušová, K. - Čertner, Martin - Urfus, T. - Koutecký, P. - Košnar, J. - Rothfels, C. J. - Jarolímová, Vlasta - Ptáček, J. - Ekrt, L.
Widespread co-occurrence of multiple ploidy levels in fragile ferns (Cystopteris fragilis complex, Cystopteridaceae) probably stems from similar ecology of cytotypes, their efficient dispersal and inter-ploidy hybridization.
Annals of Botany. Roč. 123, č. 5 (2019), s. 845-855. ISSN 0305-7364. E-ISSN 1095-8290
R&D Projects: GA ČR GB14-36079G
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : cytotype coexistence * ferns * ploidy distribution
OECD category: Plant sciences, botany
Impact factor: 4.005, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Limited access

While polyploidy has played an important role in the evolution of ferns, the dearth of data on cytotype diversity, cytotype distribution patterns and ecology in ferns is striking in comparison with angiosperms. We employed flow cytometry to assess DNA ploidy level and monoploid genome size (Cx value) of 5518 C. fragilis individuals collected over most part of the species distributional range and complemented it with data on ecological preferences. Two predominant C. fragilis cytotypes, tetraploids and hexaploids, co-occur over most of Europe in a diffuse, mosaic-like pattern. Within this contact zone, 40% of populations were mixed-ploidy and most also contained pentaploid hybrids. The high ploidy-level diversity and widespread cytotype coexistence observed in Cystopteris matches the well-documented patterns in some angiosperms. Independent origins of hexaploids and/or inter-ploidy gene flow may be expected in mixed-ploidy populations according to Cx value comparisons. Environmental conditions had only a limited effect on the distribution of cytotypes.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0302490