Electrophoretic evidence for tetrasomic segregation in tolmiea menziesii (Saxifragaceae)

Abstract

Tetrasomic inheritance was documented for four loci (Fe-1, Pgi-2, Pgm-2, and Skdh) in the naturally occurring autotetraploid Tolmiea menziesii (Saxifragaceae). For these four loci tetrasomic segregation of the chromosomal type was observed in all cases; there was no evidence of chromatid segregation. For Tpi-2 the parental genotypes available for crosses precluded differentiation between digenic-disomic and tetrasomic models of inheritance. Whereas the genetic attributes of allopolyploids are well-known, few studies have attempted to provide genetic insights into autopolyploids. Tetrasomic inheritance has been considered a fundamental characteristic of autopolyploids, providing a genetic avenue through which autopolyploid speciation could successfully occur. Although tetrasomic inheritance has been demonstrated in several crop species, including alfalfa and potatoes, few studies have demonstrated the occurrence of tetrasomic inheritance in natural populations of plants. © 1988, The Genetical Society of Great Britain.