Ecological range shift in the polyploid members of the South American genus Fosterella (Bromeliaceae).

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The distribution of polyploidy along a relatively steep Andean elevation and climatic gradient is studied using the genus Fosterella L.B. Sm. (Bromeliaceae) as a model system. Ecological differentiation of cytotypes and the link of polyploidy with historical biogeographic processes such as dispersal events and range shift are assessed.

Methods

4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining of nuclei and flow cytometry were used to estimate the ploidy levels of 159 plants from 22 species sampled throughout the distribution range of the genus. Ecological differentiation among ploidy levels was tested by comparing the sets of climatic variables. Ancestral chromosome number reconstruction was carried out on the basis of a previously generated phylogeographic f

SUBMITTER: Paule J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5737899 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature