Correlation between polyploidy and asexual reproduction

Abstract

Vallejo-Marín, M. 2014. Correlation between polyploidy and asexual reproduction. Ecosistemas 23(3): 78-82. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2014.23-3.10

Polyploidy, the presence of more than two chromosomes in an individual, and asexual reproduction through either apomixis or vegetative growth, are strongly correlated. However, few studies have directly tested the hypotheses put forward to explain the evolutionary origin of this correlation. Here I will present some of the hypotheses explaining the correlation between polyploidy and asexual reproduction, and discuss the use of phylogenetic analyses to establish the strength and causality of this association. Furthermore, I will present an example of how recently evolved allopolyploid systems can be used to study the interaction between polyploidy and asexuality, and to test specific hypotheses derived from both correlative and comparative studies.