Emergence of apospory and bypass of meiosis via apomixis after sexual hybridisation and polyploidisation.

ABSTRACT: Hybridisation and polyploidy are major forces contributing to plant speciation. Homoploid (2x) and heteroploid (3x) hybrids, however, represent critical stages for evolution due to disturbed meiosis and reduced fertility. Apomixis--asexual reproduction via seeds--can overcome hybrid sterility, but requires several concerted alterations of developmental pathways to result in functional seed formation. Here, we analyse the reproductive behaviours of homo- and heteroploid synthetic hybrids from crosses between sexual diploid and tetraploid Ranunculus auricomus species to test the hypothesis that developmental asynchrony in hybrids triggers the shift to apomictic reproduction. Evaluation of male and female gametophyte development, viability and functionality of gametes shows developmental asyn

SUBMITTER: Hojsgaard D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4260133 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature