Abstract
The highest frequency of polyploidy among plants is considered to occur in the Pteridophytes. In this study, we focused on polyploidy displayed by a specific fern taxon, the genus Pteris L. (Pteridaceae), comprising over 250 species. Cytological data from 106 Pteris species were reviewed. The base number of chromosomes in Pteris is 29. Polyploids are frequently found in Pteris, including triploids, tetraploids, pentaploids, hexaploids, and octoploids. In addition, an aneuploid species, P. deltodon Bak., has been recorded. Furthermore, the relationship between polyploidy and reproductive biology is reviewed. Among these 106 Pteris species, 60% exhibit polyploidy: 22% show intraspecific polyploidy and 38% result from polyploid speciation. Apogamous species are common in Pteris. Diploids are the most frequent among Pteris species, and they can be sexual or apogamous. Triploids are apogamous; tetraploids are sexual or apogamous. Most Pteris species have one to two ploidy levels. The diverse ploidy levels suggest that these species have a complex evolutionary history and their taxonomic problems require further clarification.
Highlights
Polyploidy provides a rapid route for species evolution and adaptation [1, 2]
We focused on polyploidy displayed by a specific fern taxon, the genus Pteris L. (Pteridaceae), comprising over 250 species
The diverse ploidy levels suggest that these species have a complex evolutionary history and their taxonomic problems require further clarification
Summary
Taxa arising from polyploidy are usually characterized by divers gene expression [3]. This variation in gene expression has effects on ecological traits, which play an important role in speciation because a specialised niche is a key factor in the formation of new taxa [4,5,6,7,8]. Apogamous species are clonal hybrid genotypes, and, as a result, apogamy creates reproductive barriers that prevent gene flow among closely related taxa, thereby facilitating sympatric speciation [16]. Species complexes in Pteris have been frequently reported [20, 21] Those species complexes are usually composed of a group of taxa with similar morphologies and involved several polyploids. This paper depicts the cytotypes, breeding systems, character variations, and their relationships in the genus Pteris
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