Title | Cytotype distribution of Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) of southern New Mexico and adjacent Texas |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1984 |
Authors | Dunford M.P. |
Journal | The Southwestern Naturalist |
Volume | 29 |
Pagination | 223-228 |
Date Published | 1984 |
Call Number | 00052 |
Keywords | article, articles, Atriplex,genetics, genetics,Atriplex, journal, journals, plant,Atriplex |
Abstract | Populations of Atriplex canescens in southern New Mexico and western Texas include diploids (2n = 18), tetraploids (2n = 36), and hexaploids (2n = 54). Tetraploids are the most common and widely distributed cytotype. Diploids are limited to specific areas and hexaploids are rare except in the Rio Grande Valley. Tetraploids occur primarily on finer textured soils on the slopes and mesas. Diploids are found on coarser sandy soils and sand dune areas. The hexaploids seem getter adapted to the silty clay flood plain soils of the Rio Grande Valley. The occurrence of hybridization between ploidy levels in demonstrated by 3x and 5x chromosome counts, indicating that gene exchange between ploidy levels occurs. |