Absence of gene flow between diploids and hexaploids of Aster amellus at multiple spatial scales

Abstract

Overall, the results suggest that the cytotypes could represent two cryptic species. Nevertheless, their formal separation is difficult as they cannot be distinguished morphologically, occupy very similar habitat conditions and have largely overlapping distribution ranges.

These results show that polyploid complexes must be treated with caution as they can hide biological diversity and can have different adaptation potentials, evolving independently.

Keywords

• autopolyploidy
• contact zone
• microsatellites