Epigenetic rather than genetic factors may explain phenotypic divergence between coastal populations of diploid and tetraploid Limonium spp. (Plumbaginaceae) in Portugal.

Abstract excerpt

BACKGROUND: The genus Limonium Miller comprises annual and perennial halophytes that can produce sexual and/or asexual seeds (apomixis). Genetic and epigenetic (DNA methylation) variation patterns were investigated in populations of three phenotypically similar putative sexual diploid species (L. nydeggeri, L. ovalifolium, L. lanceolatum), one sexual tetraploid species (L. vulgare) and two apomict tetraploid...

Topics

• Biodiversity
• DNA Methylation
• Diploidy
• Discriminant Analysis
• Ecosystem
• Epigenesis, Genetic
• Geography
• Phenotype
• Plumbaginaceae
• Polymorphism, Genetic