Fitness of natural willow hybrids in a pioneer mosaic hybrid zone.

ABSTRACT: Hybrid fitness is an important parameter to predict the evolutionary consequences of a hybridization event and to characterize hybrid zones. We studied fitness parameters of F₁ and later-generation hybrids between the lowland species Salix purpurea and the alpine S. helvetica that have recently emerged during colonization of an alpine glacier forefield. Fruit production (number of capsules per catkin and fruit set) did not differ between hybrids and parents, but the number of seeds per capsule of F₁ hybrids was slightly lower than that of later-generation hybrids and of the parents. Germination rates and seedling growth were tested on three substrates (pH 4.5, 7.0, and 8.0). Germination rates of seeds collected from F₁ hybrids were lower on ac

SUBMITTER: Gramlich S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6093150 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature