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C. J. MARCHANT, CHRISTINE A. BRIGHTON, Cytological Diversity and Triploid Frequency in a Complex Population of Ranunculus ficaria L., Annals of Botany, Volume 38, Issue 1, January 1974, Pages 7–15, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084803
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Abstract
An extensive mixed population of Ranunculus ficaria polyplotypes was mapped, sampled, and examined cytologically. The presence and relative abundance of different polyplotypes was as follows: 31 per cent diploid (2n = 16), 40 per cent tetraploid (2n = 32), and 29 per cent presumed intermediate triploid (2n = 24). It was demonstrated that there is no simple character for distinguishing all polyplotypes in the field and chromosome counts must be used for this purpose. The action of winter flood water on bulbil dissemination and differences in ecological preference of the polyplotypes is proposed to account for differences in distribution over the population area. There is some indication that triploid seeds may be produced under a situation of excessive numbers of tetraploid plants relative to diploids which reduces diploid/tetraploid pollen competition on diploid stigmas. Diploid plants with 1–8 B-chromosomes were found to occur frequently but no consistent effect of these B's on vigour, fertility, and meiosis was evident. B-chromosomes were entirely absent from triploid and tetraploid karyotypes.
