XVI International Botanical Congess

Polyploidy is an important variable in conserving endangered species. Species of mixed ploidy status pose questions as to the rate of formation of polyploid lineages, their variability status, divergence and gene flow, the advantages of polyploidy in conservation and the pitfalls if ploidy is ignored. The self-incompatible, endangered daisy Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides is a good example. Northern remnant populations are diploid, whereas the southern ones are either diploid or tetraploid. Allozyme analysis confirms tetrasomic inheritance in the tetraploid populations, a modest increase in their allelic richness over diploids in the same region, and a lack of genic divergence. Conservation and replenishment strategies should take account of these genetic features of mixed ploidy.