Population cytotype structure in the polyploid galax urceolata (Diapensiaceae)

The geographical distributions of diploid and polyploid Galax urceolata overlap in the Blue Ridge Mountains, USA. As part of an investigation into the evolutionary forces governing the establishment of polyploids and their coexistence with diploids, we examined the population frequencies of diploids, triploids and tetraploids in the area of overlap. Ploidy was inferred from estimates of DNA content, using flow cytometry, for 1570 individuals sampled from 42 populations. Across the entire sampling area, diploids and tetraploids were most abundant (55% and 34% of individuals, respectively), whereas triploids were least abundant (11%). Cytotype frequencies differed significantly among the northern, central and southern regions of the range (G = 649.02, d.f. = 4, P < 0.0001), with diploids most frequent in the north-east and least frequent in the south-west. Twenty-six per cent of the populations contained three cytotypes, 33% contained two, and 40% had a single cytotype. Populations with two cytotypes occurred in all possible cytotype combinations, but when triploids were present, they were always in the minority. Uniform populations were either diploid (81%) or tetraploid (19%), but never triploid. Overall, populations are predominantly diploid or tetraploid but rarely evenly mixed, suggesting disruptive selection for chromosome number in G. urceolata. The contribution of ecological sorting and frequency-dependent mating success to the distribution of polyploids and diploids is discussed.