| Abstract: | Itis well known that interspecific hybrids occur in the genus Potamogeton. The linear-leaved Potamogeton species commonly have highly variable morphological characteristics. Their hybrids often show similar vegetative characters to their parental species and their identification based solely on morphology is not always conclusive. In order to clarify whether there are any hybrids from the linear-leaved Potamogeton plants collected in China, we used internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and chloroplast rbcL gene sequences to identify the hybrids. Using ITS sequence additivity, we identified four hybrids, namely R orientalis (Rpusillus × P.oxyphyllus),P.pusillus × P. berchtoldii, P. foliosus × P. octandrus, and P. cristatus × P. octandrus. The latter three hybrids should be considered as new hybrids in Potamogeton. The maternal parents of the four hybrids were confirmed using chloroplast rbcL gene sequences. |
