Phenotypic Plasticity in Sympatric Diploid and Autotetraploid Dactylis glomerata

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. The University of Chicago Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to International Journal of Plant Sciences.It is often supposed that increased heterozygosity of autopolyploids provides a greater stability of phenotypic expression compared with related diploids and, hence, a greater ability to survive in marginal diploid environments or the ability to colonize new environments. The aim of this study was to compare the phenotypic plasticity of fitness-related characters in diploid and derivative autotetraploid Dactylis glomerata from genotypes sampled in their zone of natural sympatric occurrence in northern Spain. To achieve this aim, nine genotypes were grown in a range of controlled environments. We found no evidence for consistent differences in plasticity between diploids and related tetraploids. We did find, however, consistent differences between diploids and tetraploids in the mean values of the set of examined fitness-related characters. Such differences could be critical for the maintenance and evolutionary success of polyploids.

Epigenetic rather than genetic factors may explain phenotypic divergence between coastal populations of diploid and tetraploid Limonium spp. (Plumbaginaceae) in Portugal

“…In these situations species delimitations typically become blurred at the higher ploidy levels and interploidy discrimination can also become difficult for some taxa. The many examples of this type of species complex include the Festuca ovina aggregate [49], Dactylis glomerata [50] and Knautia arvensis species groups [51]. The additional and intermittent appearance of facultative or obligatory apomixis, as seen in triploid and tetraploid Limonium species [20,21], adds another layer of complexity for species delimitation and diagnosis.…”

Allopolyploid speciation inPersicaria(Polygonaceae): Insights from a low-copy nuclear region

“…However, allopolyploidy does not always produce such adaptively plastic, generalist taxa: P. puritinorum, a hexaploid of hybrid origin, is restricted to a single habitat type and narrow geographic range (31). The effects of allopolyploidy on phenotypic expression and environmental tolerance seem to be genome dependent (54).…”

Response to competition of bulbous geophyteAllium oleraceumdiffering in ploidy level

“…; Ramsey ) have used field transplantation experiments when comparing the performance of cytotypes, while other studies have compared the performance of cytotypes under common‐garden conditions ( e.g . Bretagnolle & Thompson , ; Petit & Thompson ; Buggs & Pannell ; Münzbergová ; Schlaepfer et al . ; Richardson & Hanks ; Collins et al .…”

“…polyploids should show higher stability of fitness‐related traits than their progenitors (Bretagnolle et al . ; Petit & Thompson ; Bretagnolle & Thompson ). Consequently, it is generally assumed that polyploids often occupy wider or different ranges of habitats than their diploid (or lower ploidy) parents (Stebbins ; Lewis ; Petit et al .…”