Ecological segregation drives fine-scale cytotype distribution of Senecio carniolicus in the Eastern Alps.

Karl Hülber 1 2 , Michaela Sonnleitner 3 , Ruth Flatscher 3 , Andreas Berger 3 , Rainer Dobrovsky 2 , Sophie Niessner 2 , Thomas Nigl 2 , Gerald M. Schneeweiss 3 , Magdalena Kubešová 4 5 , Jana Rauchová 4 5 , Jan Suda 4 5 & Peter Schönswetter 3

Affiliations

  1. Vienna Institute for Nature Conservation & Analyses, Giessergasse 6/7, Vienna 1090, Austria
  2. Department of Conservation Biology, Vegetation Ecology and Landscape Ecology, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, Vienna 1030, Austria
  3. Department of Biogeography and Botanical Garden, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, Vienna 1030, Austria
  4. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Benátská 2, 128 01 Prague, Czech Republic
  5. Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice, CZ-252 43, Czech Republic
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Abstract

In order to uncover patterns and processes of segregation of co-existing cytotypes, we investigated a zone in the eastern Alps (Austria) where diploid and hexaploid individuals of the alpine herb Senecio carniolicus Willd. (Asteraceae) co-occur. Linking the fine-scale distribution of cytotypes to environmental and spatial factors revealed segregation along an ecological gradient, which was also reflected in the cytotype-associated plant assemblages. Compared to diploids, hexaploids are found in more species-rich and denser communities. This may be due to their better competitive ability and lower tolerance of abiotic stress compared to the diploids. The lack of any intermediate cytotypes suggests the presence of strong reproductive isolation mechanisms, whose nature is, however, elusive.

Keywords

contact zone, cytotype mixture, fine-scale distribution, flow cytometry, habitat segregation, polyploidy, spatial structure

How to cite

Hülber K., Sonnleitner M., Flatscher R., Berger A., Dobrovsky R., Niessner S., Nigl T., Schneeweiss G. M., Kubešová M., Rauchová J., Suda J. & Schönswetter P. (2009) Ecological segregation drives fine-scale cytotype distribution of Senecio carniolicus in the Eastern Alps. – Preslia 81: 309–319