1. Hybridisation in Jacobaea – characterisation of hybrids between Jacobaea aquatica and J. vulgaris in Austria.
- Author
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Winter, Silvia, Chizzola, Remigius, Kriechbaum, Monika, and Kropf, Matthias
- Subjects
SENECIO ,AQUATIC ecology ,PYRROLIZIDINES ,ALKALOIDS ,GENETIC polymorphisms - Abstract
Background:Hybridisation inSenecio/Jacobaeais frequent and of significance in speciation and evolution. Moreover, these genera are model systems for studying the evolution of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Hybrids betweenJacobaea aquaticaandJ. vulgarishave been reported from north-western Europe. Aims:Our aim was to determine whether hybrids betweenJacobaea aquaticaandJ. vulgarisalso occurred in Austria, and if these hybrids could be responsible for the presumed increase ofJ. aquatica-like plants in this part of Europe. Furthermore, we tested if such hybrids showed an altered PA spectrum compared with parental species. Methods:We used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to analyse genetic diversity and structure, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to identify PAs. Results:We were able to identify genetically one hybrid population adjacent to a largeJ. aquaticapopulation. The AFLP phenotypes of hybrids demonstrated a closer relationship toJ. aquatica, suggesting frequent backcrossing. All hybrid individuals contained the same set of PAs as the parental species, but in differing amounts, plus four additional PAs, one of which may be novel. Conclusions:Although hybridisation inJacobaeais common, we were able to confirm only one hybrid population in Austria. Therefore, it seems unlikely that hybridisation plays a role in the presumed increase ofJ. aquaticain this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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