Asymmetric gene introgression in two closely related Orchis species: evidence from morphometric and genetic analyses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In food-deceptive orchids of the genera Anacamptis, Neotinea and Orchis floral isolation has been shown to be weak, whereas late-acting reproductive barriers are mostly strong, often restricting hybridization to the F1 generation. Only in a few species hybridization extends beyond the F1 generation, giving rise to hybrid swarms. However, little is known about the abundance of later-generation hybrids and what factors drive their occurrence in hybrid populations. In this study, molecular analyses were combined with detailed morphological measurements in a hybrid population of two closely related Orchis species (Orchis militaris and O. purpurea) to investigate the hypothesis that the abundance of later-generation hybrids is driven by changes in floral characters after hybr

SUBMITTER: Jacquemyn H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3523012 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature