Evidence for apomictic seed formation in Coprosma waima (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

Facultative autonomous apomictic seed formation has been identified in Coprosma waima by progeny tests, flow cytometry, and DNA Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism profiles. An isolated, cultivated, female plant of C. waima produced seeds, from which were raised female C. waima plants. Flow cytometry of seeds collected from these female plants had an embryo to endosperm ploidy ratio of 2:4. This is consistent with parthenogenetic embryo development from a single unreduced egg nucleus, and autonomous endosperm development from two unreduced polar nuclei. DNA Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism profiles of the maternal plant and three female progeny were identical, indicating they were genetically homologous. Seeds from wild plants of C. waima have an embryo to endosperm ploidy ratio of 2:3, consistent with sexual reproduction. We also present evidence of apomictic seed formation in C. parviflora, C. robusta, and C. serrulata. © 2002 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.