Hybridization of invasive Phragmites australis with a native subspecies in North America

摘要: Interspecific hybridization can lead to the extinction of native populations and increased aggressiveness in hybrid forms relative their parental lineages. However, interbreeding among subspecies is less often recognized as a serious threat species. Phragmites australis offers an excellent opportunity investigate intraspecific since both introduced lineages occur North America. Introduced highly successful estuarine plant invader throughout America, but are declining eastern US. Despite range overlaps, has not yet been detected between wild, suggesting that phenological or physiological barriers preclude cross-pollination. We demonstrate, for first time, hybridize. There substantial overlap flowering period from same geographic locations. manually cross-pollinated individuals with pollen recovered viable offspring. then used microsatellite markers prove alleles unique parent were transferred progeny. Our results imply mechanism further decline America potential formation aggressive