Formation and establishment of neopolyploids from sterile hybrids in Drosera in a disturbed environment

Abstract

Neopolyploid species have been used as model plants to elucidate the consequences of hybridization and polyploidy. Two Drosera species, D. anglica Hudson (2n = 4x = 40) and D. rotundifolia L. (2n = 2x = 20), and the hybrid D. ×obovata Mert. et Koch (2n = 3x = 30), which results from their crossing, have been reported from Hokkaido Island, northern Japan. Recently, we discovered unexpected higher ploidy levels within the population of these Drosera from a post-mined peatland, in Sarobetsu mire of Hokkaido. The ploidy levels were determined by flow cytometry. Polyploids were tagged and monitored at the site for three years. The morphological characteristics of the neopolyploid leaves and flowers were determined and compared to D. anglica, D. rotundifolia and D. ×obovata. Seeds collected from hexaploids were incubated in a laboratory to verify their viability. Hexaploids occurred in the field over the three years of monitoring and produced a few flowers and viable seeds; however, octoploids were extinct in the second year. The leaf shape quantified by the blade length to blade width ratio showed that the ratios of hexaploids were intermediate between D. ×obovata and D. rotundifolia, suggesting that the origin of hexaploids was likely to originate from the triploid D. ×obovata. Polyploidy may occur in disturbed habitats more commonly than previously thought.