Can polyploidy confer invasive plants with a wider climatic tolerance? A test using Solidago canadensis.

ABSTRACT: Polyploidy can cause variation in plant functional traits and thereby generate individuals that can adapt to fluctuating environments and exploit new environments. However, few empirical studies have tested for an association between ploidy level and climatic tolerance of invasive cytotypes relative to conspecific native-range cytotypes. Here, we used an invasive plant Solidago canadensis to test whether invasive populations had a higher proportion of polyploids, greater height and stem-base diameter, and occupied a wider range of climatic conditions than conspecific native-range populations. We also tested whether the invasive populations had overcome genetic founder effects. We sampled a total of 80 populations in parts of the invaded range in China and native range in North Ameri

SUBMITTER: Wan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7319170 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature