Biogeographic variation in genetic variability, apomixis expression and ploidy of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) across its native and introduced range.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is becoming an important model plant system for investigations into ecology, reproductive biology and pharmacology. This study investigates biogeographic variation for population genetic structure and reproduction in its ancestral (European) and introduced (North America) ranges.

Methods

Over 2000 individuals from 43 localities were analysed for ploidy, microsatellite variation (19 loci) and reproduction (flow cytometric seed screen). Most individuals were tetraploid (93%), while lower frequencies of hexaploid (6%), diploid (<1%) and triploid (<1%) individuals were also identified.

Key results

A flow cytometric analysis of 24 single seeds per individual, and five individuals per population demonstrated opposit

SUBMITTER: Molins MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3906961 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature