Artificial hybrids in Cryptocoryne (Araceae) 4. Hybridization between species from Malay Peninsula and Borneo

 

Niels Jacobsen, Jan D. Bastmeijer, Takashige Idei, Suwidji Wongso & Marian Orgaard

 

ABSTRACT

Crossings between Cryptocoryne species from Malay Peninsula and Borneo were relatively successful, even though their present day natural distribution areas are separated by the southern part of the South China Sea. The general success rate (11%) was similar to that of crossings within these two areas. The results showed that hybridization in Cryptocoryne is possible even between nonrelated, geographical distant species with different chromosome numbers. In cases where polyploid combinations were involved, the success rate of 20% was significantly higher than that found in both the Malay Peninsula and Borneo crosses. This could be due to the higher frequency of possible polyploid combinations.

 

KEYWORDS

Araceae, chromosome numbers, Cryptocoryne, natural & artificial hybridization, Malay Peninsula, Borneo