Different aspects of polyploid biology in the widespread African geophyte, Oxalis obliquifolia

Abstract

This study investigated different aspects of polyploid biology in the widespread African geophyte, Oxalis obliquifolia. This included the expression of endopolyploidy, the effects of polyploidy for pollinator interactions and plant competition dynamics among cytotypes, as well as the potential impacts of climate change on Oxalis obliquifolia distribution and cytotype performance and competition dynamics. Genome size estimates and endopolyploidy were assessed using standard flow cytometry techniques. Polyploidisation via endopolyploidy was tested by comparing ploidy levels of vegetatively produced offspring to parents of known ploidy levels. Differences in ploidy level and endopolyploidy expression were tested using GLMs. <br>