Abstract
Morphological variation in Plantago lanceolata L. was studied in a greenhouse and in an experimental garden, using members of full-sib families from four populations. The study included two hayfield populations and two pasture populations. The morphological differences found in the natural populations were also observed in both experiments, it was thus concluded that for most characters the variation was partly genetic. In addition to significant interpopulational genetic variation also appreciable intrapopulational genetic variation (i.e., between and within full-sib families) was observed. The population varied in amount of variation, heritability estimates, genetic correlations and in environmental sensitivity. Each population seems well adapted to its habitat. The results suggest that microevolution is retarded in some populations by unfavourable genetic correlation structures among characters under simultaneous selection, by inhomogeneous habitat characteristics or by relatively high levels of phenotypic plasticity. Selection forces responsible for the population characteristics are discussed.
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Grassland Species Research Group Publication No. 110.
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Wolff, K., Van Delden, W. Genetic analysis of ecological relevant morphological variability in Plantago lanceolata L. I Population characteristics. Heredity 58, 183–192 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1987.32
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1987.32
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