Potamogeton×exilis (P. alpinus×P. natans), a new hybrid pondweed from Finland

A Potamogeton hybrid recently discovered in Finland was proven to be a new taxon, which has a different parentage than the most similar P.×vepsicus (=P. natans×praelongus) described from Russia. Based on molecular and morphological investigation, the new hybrid was identified as P. alpinus×natans and is here described as P.×exilis nothosp. nov. The hybrid is known only from several nearby localities in a single river system. All discovered colonies almost certainly originate from a single hybridization event that occurred in the upper part of the river system. Other localities downstream have been established through fragmentation and dispersal of stems and rhizomes of this sterile hybrid. A detailed morphological comparison of the new hybrid with similar hybrids and species is provided.     

The macrophytic vegetation of Loch Urigill and other lochs of the Ullapool area

Summary

From the 15 lochs examined at altitudes between 9 and 267 m in western Sutherland and Wester Ross, a few areas of tall fen (with Hippuris, Sparganium erectum, Osmunda etc.) survive to indicate its potential distribution. Predominant grazed fen comprises patches of short Juncus articulatus and Carex nigra. Reedswamp is scarce, being dominated by Eleocharis palustris, Carex lasiocarpa and Schoenoplectus lacustris and, rarely, by Phragmites and Sparganium erectum. Floating-leaved vegetation was only encountered twice. Submerged vegetation to water depths of at least 1 m consists in the main of sparse Lobelia-Littorella with Juncus bulbosus, typical of the prevailing stony shores in every loch. Extensive Isoetes lacustris meadows may occur beyond that, with Potamogeton praelongus or P. perfoliatus stands in waters of alkalinities over 0·45 m-equiv 1^-1, reaching depths of 3 m in Loch Urigill. Loch Urigill is unusual in having dominant Isoetes at a water alkalinity of 0·76 m-equiv 1^-1 along with abundant Anabaena species and some Potamogeton filiformis.     

Chloroplast evidence for the multiple origins of the hybrid Potamogeton × fluitans

Previous studies of Potamogeton × fluitans Roth. have supported the putative origin of this taxon as a result of hybridization between Potamogeton lucens L. and Potamogeton natans L. In the British Isles P. × fluitans is restricted to only a few sites, while both its parents are relatively common. Previous studies have shown that most of these hybrid populations are monomorphic, with the exception of the Moors River, in Hampshire and Dorset, where multiple genotypes have been identified. This is despite the fact that here the hybrid grows in the absence of one its parents, P. lucens. In this study, species-specific differences in the TrnL (UAA) chloroplast region, a maternally inherited marker, were used to identify the original seed-bearing parent of the hybrids within this river system. It was shown that both species have been maternal parents in the creation of this hybrid population.     

When interspecific prezygotic barriers break down: hybridization between two Potamogeton species (P. wrightii and P. perfoliatus) and comparison of the artificial and natural hybrids

Interspecific hybridization played an important role in speciation and evolution of angiosperms. Although the widespread occurrence of natural hybrids in the genus Potamogeton has been studied intensively, few successful experimental hybridization studies have been reported in this genus. In the present study, critical experimental hybridization was conducted using Potamogeton?×?intortusifolius, a natural hybrid widely distributed in China, and its parents (P. perfoliatus and P. wrightii). The absence of prezygotic barriers between P. wrightii and P. perfoliatus was observed, which contributes to the frequent hybridization of these species in nature. The pollen tube growth rates of P. perfoliatus were much faster than those of P. wrightii in the style of that species. However, the conspecific pollen tubes were competitively advantageous in P. perfoliatus styles. The interspecific hybridization could be applied bidirectionally, and 28 F1 hybrid individuals were successfully obtained from P. wrightii?×?P. perfoliatus, despite the low germination possibility of the hybrid seeds. Both the artificial and natural hybrids exhibited intermediate morphological characters but presented much lower fertility. The sterility of P.?×?intortusifolius is mainly due to its low female fitness. However, the offspring from P. wrightii?×?P.?×?intortusifolius indicated the potential for backcrossing in nature. This is the most successful attempt at artificial hybridization in this genus so far. The possible route for restoration of fertility and the fitness of the hybrids are also discussed in this paper.     

Recurrent hybridisation events between Primula vulgaris,P. veris and P. elatior (Primulaceae,Ericales) challenge the species boundaries: using molecular markers to re‐evaluate morphological identifications

Three Primula species, Primula vulgaris, P. veris and P. elatior, have been objects of fascination for gardeners and botanists over several centuries. The species are able to hybridise, and where they co‐occur, hybrids are commonly found. In Denmark, Møns Klint on the island of Møn and Købelev Skov on Lolland are examples of localities where all three species occur and where the hybrids P. × digenea, the hybrid between P. vulgaris and P. elatior, and P. × polyantha, the hybrid between P. veris and P. vulgaris, can also be found. To investigate relationships between the species and their hybrids, we sampled 168 specimens from 10 geographical locations and subjected them to genetic analysis. The samples were also identified based on morphological traits: primarily inflorescense structure, the size, shape, colour and markings of corolla and leaf basis, leaf blade texture and hairiness. After identifying species‐specific SNPs in the Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence, these were used to resolve species and hybrid boundaries and status through a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence assay. Polymorphisms in the chloroplast trnL sequence were used as a high‐throughput marker and used to determine the maternal parent of hybrids. Ten simple sequence repeat markers were applied to obtain further insight into the genetic makeup of the accessions using structure and Introgress, providing information of genetic variability within and between populations. Our results indicated that backcrossing of P. × digenea hybrids with parental species has occurred, and that many of the P. × digenea sampled were later‐generation hybrids rather than F₁s. Analyses of P. × polyantha specimens show mostly the expected pattern for primary hybrids but indications of P. veris ancestry of a P. vulgaris plant was discovered. Our results further indicate that some of the specimens initially identified as P. elatior include P. vulgaris among their progenitors and thus challenge currently accepted species boundaries.     

Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii (Alliaceae): an isoclonal plant found across a range of habitats in S.W. England

Despite the widespread distribution and common habitat dominance of clonal plant species the mechanisms for their ecological success often remain uncertain. Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii is a sterile plant that reproduces with physiologically independent asexual propagules. The variety is found mainly in the S.W. of England over a wide habitat range including sea cliffs and open woodlands and displays an autumn-spring phenology in common with its close Mediterranean relatives. The role of population genetic structure in the remarkable habitat distribution of the variety is not known. Genetic variation in A. ampeloprasum var. babingtonii was analysed using RAPD markers in single individuals of var. babingtonii from 16 distinct populations and five further individuals from a single population. This analysis revealed no polymorphism suggesting that all sampled individuals are part of a single clone. We offer the conjecture that in the absence of genetic variation an ecological release, due to temporal separation from competing species, may contribute to the ability of var. babingtonii to exploit heterogeneous environmental conditions.     

GENETICS OF MIMICRY IN THE TIGER SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLIES,PAPILIO GLAUCUS AND P. CANADENSIS (LEPIDOPTERA: PAPILIONIDAE)

The tiger swallowtail butterfly, Papilio glaucus, exhibits a female-limited polymorphism for Batesian mimicry; the Canadian tiger swallowtail, Papilio canadensis, lacks the mimetic (dark) form entirely. The species hybridize to a limited extent where their ranges overlap. Field collections and censuses indicate that mimetic females occur throughout the range of P. glaucus but at lowest frequencies in populations at the latitudinal edges of its geographic range such as the southernmost part of Florida and along the entire northern edge of its distribution from Massachusetts to Minnesota. Frequencies of mimetic females have remained relatively stable over time. Inheritance of the mimetic form is controlled primarily by two interacting sex-linked loci. The typical matrilineal pattern of inheritance in P. glaucus can be explained by polymorphism at a Y-linked locus, b. Analysis of P. glaucus × P. canadensis crosses has also revealed an X-linked locus, s, which controls the expression of the mimetic phenotype. The P. canadensis allele, s^can, suppresses the mimetic phenotype in hybrid and backcross females. Results from more than 12 yr of rearing tiger swallowtails, including interspecies hybrids, indicate that the absence of mimetic P. canadensis females is due to both a high frequency of the “suppressing” allele s^can and low frequency of the black-pigment-determining b + allele. The frequency of s^can (or other suppressing alleles of s) in P. glaucus populations outside the hybrid zone is low. Some males heterozygous at the s locus and some suppressed mimetic females occur within the hybrid zone. A simple genetic model predicts the frequency of daughters that differ in phenotype from their mothers.     

Evidence for the hybrid origin of<Emphasis Type="Italic">potamogeton ×cooperi</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Potamogetonaceae</Emphasis>): Traditional morphology-based taxonomy and molecular techniques in concert

The identity of plants morphologically intermediate betweenPotamogeton crispus andP. perfoliatus from two recently discovered sites, one in Moravia, Czech Republic and another in Wales, United Kingdom, was investigated with molecular markers. Evidence from restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA and of thetrnK-trnQ chloroplast DNA intergenic spacer confirmed the morphology-based determination of two putative hybrid samples asP. ×cooperi. The hybrids showed the ITS variants of both parental taxa, consistent with the expected biparental inheritance of nuclear DNA. The chloroplast DNA markers indicateP. crispus as the female parent in both hybridization events. The hybrid origin of another dubious sample was excluded by the molecular data, in accordance with previous detailed morphological examination. This plant represented an extreme, narrow-leaved form ofP. perfoliatus, imitatingP. ×cooperi in some characters. The results of the molecular analyses are discussed in relation to the morphology of the plants. They underline that somePotamogeton hybrids could indeed be identified by careful and detailed morphological examination and also that these identifications were reliable and confirmed by molecular markers. This study exemplifies that long-term taxonomic expertise usually generates very well-founded specific questions suitable for straightforward treatment by appropriate molecular methods. The process and ecological implications of hybrid formation are also discussed     

A new hybrid horsetail Equisetum×lofotense (E. arvense×E. sylvaticum,Equisetaceae) from Norway

On the Island of Austvågøya (Lofoten, Norway), a new hybrid horsetail (E. arvense×E. sylvaticum) was found, which is described as E.×lofotense. Its macro‐ and micro‐morphological characters are discussed and compared with the similar hybrid E.×mildeanum (E. pratense×E. sylvaticum) with which it shares the E. sylvaticum parentage. The hybrid nature is verified by its completely aborted spores, and the micro‐morphology of the stem ridges and stomata, illustrated by SEM images, confirm the proposed origin. An overview of all known hybrids in the genus Equisetum is given and critically commented. It becomes evident that in subgenus Equisetum E. arvense is the species most frequently involved in hybridization events.     

Influence of stem lacunar structure on gas transport: relation to the oxygen transport potential of submersed vascular plants

The influence of stem lacunar structure on the potential of diffusion and mass flow to meet estimated root O₂ demands was evaluated and compared in four submersed aquatic plant species. Internodal lacunae formed large continuous gas canals which were constricted at the nodes by thin, perforated diaphragms. Gas transport studies showed that nodes had little effect on diffusion, but significantly reduced mass flow. Measured diffusive resistances approximated those predicted by Fick's first law, ranged from 203 to 5107 × 10⁸ s m⁻⁴ and increased as lacunar area decreased in Potamogeton praelongus, two Myriophyllum species and Elodea canadensis. Our analysis suggested that diffusion could satisfy estimated root O₂ demands given the development of relatively steep O₂ gradients (0.15–0.35 mol O₂ mor⁻¹ per 0.5 m stem) between shoots and roots. Plants with high resistances (e.g. > 750 × 10⁸ s m⁻⁴) and long lacunar pathlengths may be unable, even during active photosynthesis, to support the O₂ demands of a large root system by diffusion alone. Measured nodal resistances to mass flow approximated those predicted by Hagen-Poiseuille law and ranged from 46 to 2029 × 10⁸ Pa s m⁻³. Our analysis suggested that these resistances were quite low and that relatively small pressure differentials (< 150 Pa per 0.5 m stem) could drive mass flow at rates which would support root O₂ demands. Possible mechanisms whereby plant architecture may serve to maintain these pressure differentials are proposed.     

First record of Potamogeton×salicifolius for Italy,with isozyme evidence for plants collected in Italy and Sweden

Abstract

Potamogeton×salicifolius, a hybrid between P. lucens and P. perfoliatus, is identified as a new taxon for Italy. This is the first record of this hybrid from southern Europe. The Italian sample was studied in cultivation and compared with a living specimen of P.×salicifolius from Sweden, where the hybrid is rather widespread. In addition to morphological features, the most compelling evidence for the hybrid origin of these plants came from the isozyme analysis. The additive “hybrid” banding patterns of the five enzyme systems studied indicate inheritance from P. lucens and P. perfoliatus. The distribution of this hybrid in Europe coincides with the areas most severely affected by the Late Pleistocene glaciation. The relationships between environmental conditions, history of the habitat and rise of hybrids are discussed.     

871. ALLIUM AMPELOPRASUM var BABINGTONII

The bulbil‐bearing and proliferous wild leek, Allium ampeloprasum L. var. babingtonii (Borrer) Syme, from the south‐western coasts of England and Ireland is illustrated. Its history is described and suggestions for its cultivation are given.     

Bark morphological and chemical features are differentially correlated with disease resistance and yield in hybrid poplar taxa

In the southeastern United States, the establishment of short-rotation intensively cultured plantations of hybrid poplar has been hindered by its susceptibility to stem cankers. We evaluated the tradeoffs between biomass yield and disease tolerance in hybrid poplar genotypes belonging to P. deltoides × P. maximowiczii (DM), P. deltoides × P. nigra (DN), P. trichocarpa × P. maximowiczii (TM), and P. deltoides × P. deltoides (DD) taxa. We hypothesized that canker resistant genotypes will have thicker bark but bark thickness and biomass yield will be negatively correlated. After two growing seasons, the DD genotypes developed thicker bark compared to the genotypes of other taxa and bark thickness was not correlated with biomass yield in the DD genotypes (R² = 0.002). However, in the TM, DM, and DN genotypes, bark thickness was negatively correlated with biomass yield (R² = 0.33–0.77). Disease incidence studies revealed that the DM genotypes were most susceptible to canker whereas no disease was detected in DD genotypes. Furthermore, bark analysis conducted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis showed that that DD genotypes to be chemically separate from the three hybrid genotypes and that bark chemistry was correlated with canker disease incidence. Taken together, these results reveal that it is possible to generate hybrid poplar genotypes with thicker bark, disease resistance, and higher biomass yields. This insight should guide further efforts to develop genetically improved hybrid poplar genotypes, both in terms of biomass yield and disease tolerance, for cultivation in the southeastern United States. Hybrid poplar cultivation in southeastern United States is hindered by its susceptibility to stem cankers. We evaluated tradeoffs between yield and canker disease resistance in various hybrid poplar genotypes. After two growing seasons, the DD genotypes showed disease resistance and developed thicker bark that was chemically distinct from the other genotypes. Bark thickness was not correlated with yield in the DD genotypes but was negatively correlated with yield in the other genotypes. These results will guide the development of hybrid poplar genotypes that are both disease resistant and high yielding for cultivation in the southeastern United States.     

Maternal effects and ecological divergence in aquatic plants: a case study in natural reciprocal hybrids between Potamogeton perfoliatus and P. wrightii

When parental taxa are adapted to different habitats, hybrid genotypes are often highly heterogeneous, such that habitat or ecological factors influence hybrid fate and ecological performance. Trait expression in hybrids is not always intermediate between the parents, but may instead be either parental‐like or extreme (transgressive) depending on genetic control of the phenotypes. Maternal effects arising from interspecific interaction between cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes are widely recognized as playing a role in character expression of natural hybrids. Such interaction often leads to hybrid sterility or inviability. When hybrids are viable, however, cytonuclear interaction may contribute to hybrid persistence through its influence on trait expression. To date, maternal influence on hybrid performance has been examined primarily in experimentally produced hybrids, or in natural hybrids without identification of the cross direction owing to difficulty in obtaining species‐specific molecular markers. In aquatic plants, many hybrids persist by extensive clonal growth and are important components of aquatic communities. Many such hybrids are known in Potamogeton (pondweeds), the largest aquatic genus. Because Potamogeton species are ecologically highly diverse and maternal lineages are readily distinguished using molecular markers, natural hybrids of Potamogeton are well‐suited for studies of maternal effects, especially those affecting vegetative performance. As a case study, we have focused on maternal effects on drought tolerance and depth distribution in the natural hybrid P. × anguillanus derived from the closely related species P. perfoliatus and P. wrightii.     

Simple Sequence Repeat and S-Locus Genotyping to Assist the Genetic Characterization and Breeding of Polyploid Prunus Species,P. spinosa and P. domestica subsp. insititia

Polyploid Prunus spinosa (2n?=?4?×) and P. domestica subsp. insititia (2n?=?6?×) represent enormous genetic potential in Central Europe, which can be exploited in breeding programs. In Hungary, 16 cultivar candidates and a recognized cultivar ‘Zempléni’ were selected from wild-growing populations including ten P. spinosa, four P. domestica subsp. insititia and three P. spinosa?×?P. domestica hybrids (2n?=?5?×) were also created. Genotyping in eleven simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci and the multiallelic S-locus was used to characterize genetic variability and achieve a reliable identification of tested accessions. Nine SSR loci proved to be polymorphic and eight of those were highly informative (PIC values ? 0.7). A total of 129 SSR alleles were identified, which means 14.3 average allele number per locus and all accessions but two clones could be discriminated based on unique SSR fingerprints. A total of 23 S-RNase alleles were identified and the complete and partial S-genotype was determined for 10 and 7 accessions, respectively. The DNA sequence was determined for a total of 17 fragments representing 11 S-RNase alleles. ‘Zempléni’ was confirmed to be self-compatible carrying at least one non-functional S-RNase allele (S_J). Our results indicate that the S-allele pools of wild-growing P. spinosa and P. domestica subsp. insititia are overlapping in Hungary. Phylogenetic and principal component analyses confirmed the high level of diversity and genetic differentiation present within the analysed accessions and indicated putative ancestor–descendant relationships. Our data confirm that S-locus genotyping is suitable for diversity studies in polyploid Prunus species but non-related accessions sharing common S-alleles may distort phylogenetic inferences.

     

Two new spontaneous hybrids of American hard pines from Pinus sect. Trifoliae (Pinaceae) found in the unique Russian Sochi Arboretum

In the 1990s, an extraordinarily abundant live collection of the genus Pinus, including 49 species, 4 subspecies, and 7 interspecific hybrids, found in the Sochi Arboretum in Russia on the northeast coast of the Black Sea, was taxonomically revised. Among these taxa, two previously unknown interspecific hybrids of American hard pine species from P. sect. Trifoliae had arisen spontaneously in culture. These are described here as the new hybrid species Pinus × transamericana (P. muricata × P. rigida) and Pinus × critchfieldii (P. patula × P. taeda). All known natural or artificial interspecific hybrids within P. sect. Trifoliae are listed, and hybridization between American hard pine species is discussed. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of commercial hybrid poplar Populus nigra L. × P. maximowiczii A. Henry

Many economically important species of Populus, especially those in sections Aigeiros and Tacamahaca, remain recalcitrant to genetic transformation. In this study, a simple and reliable protocol was developed for the efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of a difficult-to-transform, but commercially viable, hybrid poplar Populus nigra L. × P. maximowiczii A. Henry (NM6). A plant transformation vector designed to express the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was used to detect transformation events at early stages of plant regeneration and to optimize parameters affecting poplar transformation. The use of zeatin riboside in shoot-induction medium, regeneration of shoots via indirect organogenesis, and early selection pressure were the major modifications that drastically improved the efficiency of poplar transformation and minimized the number of untransformed regenerants. Transgenic shoots were routinely obtained 4–10 weeks after co-culture with A. tumefaciens, with a greater than 90% rate of plant recovery. Stable transgene integration, ranging from a single insertion to ten copies per genome, was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. The mean transformation frequency was 36.3% and about two-thirds of the lines had 1–2 transgene copies. Among the explants, petioles and leaves had a higher transformation frequency than did stem segments. Growth characteristics and the morphology of transgenic poplar plants were identical to untransformed controls. These findings will accelerate the development of P. nigra × P. maximowiczii plants with novel traits, and may also be useful to improve transformation procedures for other Populus species.     

An artificial intergeneric hybrid derived from sexual hybridization between the distantly related Arabidopsis thaliana and Pachycladon cheesemanii (Brassicaceae)

An artificial intergeneric hybrid derived from sexual hybridization between Arabidopsis thaliana (female) and Pachycladon cheesemanii (male) is characterized and formally named as ×Pachydopsis hortorum. A hybrid origin for ×Pachydopsis is supported by a chromosome number of 2n = 15, with this comprising haploid gametes from A. thaliana (n = 5) and P. cheesemanii (n = 10). DNA fingerprinting using amplified fragment length polymorphism data also confirmed the parentage of the hybrid, as it comprised the additive total of all of the fragments scored for P. cheesemanii and most of those scored for A. thaliana. ×Pachydopsis is a robust perennial herb with numerous leafy rosettes and long inflorescences like P. cheesemanii, and floral parts that are intermediate between the parents. ×Pachydopsis produces sterile pollen. Female function of ×Pachydopsis is partially normal, with the pollen of A. thaliana and several species of Pachycladon readily germinating on the stigma, and pollen tubes growing down the style and transmission tissue into the ovary. No seed was formed from these pollinations, although one embryo developed but subsequently aborted at the torpedo stage. Colchicine was used to induce polyploid inflorescences, and these were confirmed by the size and density of the stomata and pollen diameter. Flowers from the polyploid inflorescences of ×Pachydopsis were backcrossed with A. thaliana Landsberg erecta and 11 seeds were produced. Four backcross hybrid plants were raised and two of these had a chromosome number of 2n = 20, consistent with a haploid gamete (n = 15) from polyploid × Pachydopsis being fertilized by a haploid pollen gamete (n = 5) from A. thaliana Landsberg erecta. Polyploid × Pachydopsis flowers backcrossed with P. cheesemanii and crossed with P. novae‐zelandiae did not produce any seeds. The partially fertile intergeneric hybrid described here between Arabidopsis and Pachycladon is remarkable in that, although the two genera occur in an Arabidopsoid clade, they are separated by a reasonable phylogenetic distance. This relationship suggests that Pachycladon and ×Pachydopsis have the potential to be employed in the study of evolutionary and ecological processes using the wide array of Arabidopsis resources. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 533–544.     

小报春与岩生报春种间杂交亲和性研究

以报春花属报春花组的小报春(Primula forbesii)和指叶报春组的岩生报春(Primula saxatilis)为亲本,对种间杂交的结实性及花粉管行为进行了观察。结果表明:小报春与岩生报春种间杂交表现为不亲和,正反交组合正常结实率为0,但正交、反交组合花粉在柱头表面的萌发和花粉管伸长过程有明显差异,小报春花粉授粉4h后可以在岩生报春柱头表面萌发,但花粉管伸长的速度明显比对照组[岩生报春(P)×岩生报春(T)、岩生报春(T)×岩生报春(P)]慢,并且花粉管生长弯曲,授粉192h后花粉管仍未到达子房;岩生报春的花粉可以在小报春柱头上正常萌发,授粉48h后花粉管到达子房;4个对照授粉组合均分别于24h(短花柱为母本)、48h(长花柱为母本)时完成受精过程。研究表明,岩生报春×小报春杂交存在受精前障碍,小报春×岩生报春杂交亲和性较好,并可通过幼胚拯救的方法获得组间杂种后代;花柱长度可能是影响种间杂交结实能力的因素之一。     

Isozyme evidence for hybridization between Potamogeton natans and P. nodosus (Potamogetonaceae) in Britain

A population of pondweeds from the River Stour in Dorset intermediate in morphology between Potamogeton natans L. and P. nodosus Poir. is shown by means of isozyme evidence to be the hybrid P. × schreberi G. Fisch. It is represented by a single multi-enzyme phenotype which, together with its sterility, suggests it reproduces vegetatively and may well constitute a single clone. It is genetically distinct from the morphologically similar hybrid between P. lucens L. and P. natans (P . x fluitans Roth).