Abstract
Exemplified by studies of the SE Asian genus Cryptocoryne (Araceae) we provide evidence that: 1) interspecific hybridization is an ever-ongoing process, and introgression and gene exchange takes place whenever physically possible throughout the region; 2) artificial hybridization experiments confirm that wide crosses are possible in a large number of cases; 3) rivers and streams provide numerous, diverse habitats for Cryptocoryne diaspores to settle in; 4) the changes in habitats caused by recurrent glaciations resulting in numerous splitting and merging of populations facilitates hybridization and segregation of subsequent generations; 5) hybridization is a major driving element in speciation; 6) populations are the units and stepping stones in evolution – not the species.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 19-28 |
| ISSN | 0495-3843 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 |
Keywords
- Araceae
- Chromosome numbers
- Cryptocoryne
- Evolution
- Hybridization