The phenomenon of polyploidy, regarding chromosome complements containing more than two chromosome sets, is one of the most widespread and distinctive features of the higher plants. After its discovery, it became the first of the cytogenetic characteristics of plants to be extensively investigated and well understood. Over the decades studies on polyploids dramatically increased, creating highly specialized research sectors, however some aspects of origin and evolution of polyploids are still not fully understood.
The knowledge of the ploidy diversity of wild populations is the starting point for reconstructing the evolutionary history of polyploids, however, at present, many taxonomic groups are still largely unexplored or have not been investigated in sufficient detail to describe with certainty their ploidy composition. The purpose of this Research Topic is to collect studies of natural populations and discover new cases of intraspecific ploidy diversity to advance our understanding of polyploid evolution in the wild.
To realize this, we encourage the submission of manuscripts covering the following subtopics:
• New cases of mixed-ploidy populations.
• Genome rearrangements after polyploidization.
• Insight into the origin of unreduced gametes.
Studies should attempt to establish the frequency, distribution, and ploidy levels of cytotypes. The detection of triploid cytotypes would provide the opportunity to evaluate the possible role of these cytotypes in the evolutionary dynamics of these populations. Of particular interest are investigations for defining the geographical and ecological factors promoting the emergence and establishment of polyploid taxa and the coexistence of cytotypes within natural populations. The evaluation of the consequences of polyploidization on morphological, physiological, and developmental characteristics of plants is also included in these studies. Taking into consideration the objectives of the Research Topic we welcome papers on cytotype diversity in taxonomic groups so far understudied, such as minor fruit and forest trees.
The phenomenon of polyploidy, regarding chromosome complements containing more than two chromosome sets, is one of the most widespread and distinctive features of the higher plants. After its discovery, it became the first of the cytogenetic characteristics of plants to be extensively investigated and well understood. Over the decades studies on polyploids dramatically increased, creating highly specialized research sectors, however some aspects of origin and evolution of polyploids are still not fully understood.
The knowledge of the ploidy diversity of wild populations is the starting point for reconstructing the evolutionary history of polyploids, however, at present, many taxonomic groups are still largely unexplored or have not been investigated in sufficient detail to describe with certainty their ploidy composition. The purpose of this Research Topic is to collect studies of natural populations and discover new cases of intraspecific ploidy diversity to advance our understanding of polyploid evolution in the wild.
To realize this, we encourage the submission of manuscripts covering the following subtopics:
• New cases of mixed-ploidy populations.
• Genome rearrangements after polyploidization.
• Insight into the origin of unreduced gametes.
Studies should attempt to establish the frequency, distribution, and ploidy levels of cytotypes. The detection of triploid cytotypes would provide the opportunity to evaluate the possible role of these cytotypes in the evolutionary dynamics of these populations. Of particular interest are investigations for defining the geographical and ecological factors promoting the emergence and establishment of polyploid taxa and the coexistence of cytotypes within natural populations. The evaluation of the consequences of polyploidization on morphological, physiological, and developmental characteristics of plants is also included in these studies. Taking into consideration the objectives of the Research Topic we welcome papers on cytotype diversity in taxonomic groups so far understudied, such as minor fruit and forest trees.
