Conservation implications of asymmetric introgression and reproductive barriers in a rare primrose species.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Primula is a large genus of flowering herbs well known for their heterostyly. Currently few natural hybrids are known and reproductive barriers in this genus in the wild have received little attention. However, there is instance of hybridization between rare and widely-spread species, and conservation implications of such situation is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated hybridization patterns and reproductive barriers between a wide spread species, Primula poissonii and a rare species P. anisodora, of which only three populations are currently known.

Results

Pollinator-mediated reproductive isolation was strong between parental species but not significant between hybrids and parental species. Hand pollination experiments showed significant red

SUBMITTER: Ma Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6599365 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature