Floral odour chemistry defines species boundaries and underpins strong reproductive isolation in sexually deceptive orchids.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The events leading to speciation are best investigated in systems where speciation is ongoing or incomplete, such as incipient species. By examining reproductive barriers among incipient sister taxa and their congeners we can gain valuable insights into the relative timing and importance of the various barriers involved in the speciation process. The aim of this study was to identify the reproductive barriers among sexually deceptive orchid taxa in the genus Chiloglottis.

Methods

The study targeted four closely related taxa with varying degrees of geographic overlap. Chemical, morphological and genetic evidence was combined to explore the basis of reproductive isolation. Of primary interest was the degree of genetic differentiation among taxa at both nucl

SUBMITTER: Peakall R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3890385 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature