Arctic-alpine and serpentine differentiation in polyploid Potentilla crantzii

• Main Authors: Paule, J., Kolář, F. (Filip), Dobeš, C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: AFLP and cpDNA; polyploidy; serpentine; Arctic; Subarctic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0249745

The link between polyploidy and the disjunct arctic-alpine European distribution of Potentilla crantzii was studied with particular reference to the role of serpentine habitats. Flow cytometry, AFLPs and cpDNA sequencing provided insights into ploidy level variation and the genetic structureof European populations. We recorded a ploidy differentiated arctic-alpine disjunction withtetraploids limited to the central- and southern-European mountain chains and hexaploids dominatingin the Subarctic. Two lowland serpentine populations in the Czech Republic and Austriaexhibited contrasting genetic patterns suggesting different evolutionary histories, with thetetraploid Czech population showing a conspicuously high genetic diversity. Finally, our geneticand cytological data did not support a distinct taxonomic status for the serpentine populations thatwere traditionally differentiated as P. crantzii subsp. serpentini.