Evidence for hybridization and introgression within a species-rich oak (Quercus spp.) community.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Analysis of interspecific gene flow is crucial for the understanding of speciation processes and maintenance of species integrity. Oaks (genus Quercus, Fagaceae) are among the model species for the study of hybridization. Natural co-occurrence of four closely related oak species is a very rare case in the temperate forests of Europe. We used both morphological characters and genetic markers to characterize hybridization in a natural community situated in west-central Romania and which consists of Quercus robur, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens, and Q. frainetto, respectively.

Results

On the basis of pubescence and leaf morphological characters ~94% of the sampled individuals were assigned to pure species. Only 16 (approximately 6%) individual trees exhibited intermediate

SUBMITTER: Curtu AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2244923 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature