Re: [Aroid-l] Alocasia macrorrhizos and A. cucullata

From: Peter Boyce <phymatarum at googlemail.com> on 2009.09.07 at 06:43:45(19952) LariAnn, The answer to your first para is a definite yes, and in fact there is such a category for such seemingly stable taxa where the hybridity is known or at least heavily suspected - nothospecies (literally 'bastard' species). There are a couple of Cryptocoryne (purpurea and the recently describe timahensis) that are just this. The problem with A. macrorrizos and A. cucullata is that the 'parentage', if they are of hybrid origin, is unknown and short of an extensive set of experiments with possible 'known suspects' (e.g., odora, navicularis, etc.) will probably remain so unless there is a chance 'discovery' in the wild. Very best Peter +More -----Original Message----- From: aroid-l-bounces@gizmoworks.com [mailto:aroid-l-bounces@gizmoworks.com] On Behalf Of LariAnn Sent: 07 September 2009 02:02 To: Discussion of aroids Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Alocasia macrorrhizos and A. cucullata Peter, Interesting thoughts - I would think that if a variety, cultivar or hybrid has stabilized to such an extent that it comes true to seed and functions as a species, as you described, then wouldn't that mean it has actually become a new species, in effect? Isn't that one way that speciation manifests itself? Whether it took 100 years or 1000 years, that should not make it any less of a new species, should it? Regarding the barriers to crossing, all of the barrier factors you mentioned, with the exception of genetic incompatibility, are factors that can be overcome by judicious hybridization work. I can preserve pollen to make up for flowering time differences, I can grow the plants together even though in habitat they may be very far away from each other, I can do my pollinations at different times of day in order to find the right time, and, of course, I can learn how to be the right pollinator myself. What I cannot do in traditional hybridization is to overcome a genetic or biochemical barrier to the production of viable pollen or ovules, or to the growth of the pollen on the stigma. However, as a result of my work, I've done some hybridizations that I actually thought were genetically impossible. The most remarkable example is my hybrid of A. odora and A. reginula. Predictably, the progeny are sterile, but the plants are beautiful. Perhaps, in time, the plant may stabilize genetically and manifest fertility. Kind regards, LariAnn _______________________________________________ Aroid-L mailing list Aroid-L@www.gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l _______________________________________________ Aroid-L mailing list Aroid-L@www.gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l

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