Genomic diversity in two related plant species with and without sex chromosomes--Silene latifolia and S. vulgaris.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genome size evolution is a complex process influenced by polyploidization, satellite DNA accumulation, and expansion of retroelements. How this process could be affected by different reproductive strategies is still poorly understood.

Methodology/principal findings

We analyzed differences in the number and distribution of major repetitive DNA elements in two closely related species, Silene latifolia and S. vulgaris. Both species are diploid and possess the same chromosome number (2n = 24), but differ in their genome size and mode of reproduction. The dioecious S. latifolia (1C = 2.70 pg DNA) possesses sex chromosomes and its genome is 2.5× larger than that of the gynodioecious S. vulgaris (1C = 1.13 pg DNA), which does not possess sex chromosomes. We discovered th

SUBMITTER: Cegan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3290532 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature