Sexual and asexual Taraxacum species |
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Authors: | MICHAEL MOGIE HENRY FORD |
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Institution: | School of Biological Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY |
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Abstract: | The genus Taraxacum is a widely dispersed, ecologically variable taxon of some 2000 sexual and apomictic (agarnospermous) species. Data from numerous studies are used to examine the influences sexuality and apomixis have had on its evolution, geographical distribution and ecological diversification. A new explanation is given of the geographical distribution of sexual and apomictic forms, and the role of polyploidy in buffering apomicts against the effects of an accumulation of deleterious mutations is examined. |
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Keywords: | Taraxacum apomixis agamospermy polyploidy geographical distribution evolutionary potential ecological diversity |
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