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Evolutionary processes in the genusCapsella (Brassicaceae)

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Abstract

Capsella comprises diploid (C. grandiflora andC. rubella) and tetraploid taxa. It is argued that the tetraploidC. bursa-pastoris is of intraspecific origin despite disomic inheritance and “fixed heterozygosity”. It is of considerable age as evidenced by the fossil record and molecular data. Gene duplication by polyploidization and a mixed mating system provided the genetic flexibility for greatest colonizing success. Pronounced variation patterns at a micro- and macrogeographic scale are observed inC. bursa-pastoris for many characters including life history traits, leaf morphology and allozymes. This variation pattern can be explained by several components comprising phylogenetic age, random processes, ecotypic variation and colonization history. The adaptive strategy ofC. bursa-pastoris cannot be assigned to either ecotypic differentiation or phenotypic plasticity alone. It depends on the trait under study.

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  1. Spezielle Botanik, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, D-49076, Osnabrück, Germany

    Herbert Hurka & Barbara Neuffer

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  1. Herbert Hurka
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  2. Barbara Neuffer
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Dedicated to emer. Univ.-Prof. DrFriedrich Ehrendorfer on the occasion of his 70th birthday

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Hurka, H., Neuffer, B. Evolutionary processes in the genusCapsella (Brassicaceae). Pl Syst Evol 206, 295–316 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987954

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