Recent natural hybridization between two allopolyploid wheatgrasses (Elytrigia, Poaceae): ecological and evolutionary implications.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Natural hybridization was investigated between two predominantly allohexaploid wheatgrasses, weedy Elytrigia repens and steppic E. intermedia, with respect to habitats characterized by different degrees of anthropogenic disturbance.

Methods

Using flow cytometry (relative DNA content), 269 plants from three localities were analysed. Hybrids were further analysed using nuclear ribosomal (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region) and chloroplast (trnT-F region) DNA markers in addition to absolute DNA content and chromosome numbers.

Key results

Weedy E. repens was rare in a steppic locality whereas E. intermedia was almost absent at two sites of agricultural land-use. Nevertheless, hybrids were common there whereas none were found at the steppic locality, underlining the

SUBMITTER: Mahelka V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2735307 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature