Unidirectional hybridization and reproductive barriers between two heterostylous primrose species in north-west Yunnan, China.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Heteromorphy in flowers has a profound effect on breeding patterns within a species, but little is known about how it affects reproductive barriers between species. The heterostylous genus Primula is very diverse in the Himalaya region, but hybrids there have been little researched. This study examines in detail a natural hybrid zone between P. beesiana and P. bulleyana.

Methods

Chloroplast sequencing, AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) markers and morphological comparisons were employed to characterize putative hybrids in the field, using synthetic F1s from hand pollination as controls. Pollinator visits to parent species and hybrids were observed in the field. Hand pollinations were conducted to compare pollen tube growth, seed production and

SUBMITTER: Ma Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3962241 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature