Species integrity and ploidy stability despite extensive gene flow via introgressive hybridization: the case of Betula species in Iceland.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Introgressive hybridization is common in natural birch woodlands in Iceland, where two birch (Betula) species (diploid dwarf birch B. nana and tetraploid tree birch B. pubescens) coexist and hybridize readily. Our previous morphological, cytogenetic and palynological studies show that triploid hybrids are likely to have mediated gene flow between the two species. Our previous molecular study based on chloroplast haplotyping confirms the hybrid introgression and provides information about the genetic origin of Betula species in Iceland. The question remains, however, as to what extent nuclear gene flow is involved in this hybrid introgression process. The objective of the present study was therefore to use nuclear markers to probe birch introgressive hybridization.

Res

SUBMITTER: Leduc GB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11987382 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature