Genomic and taxonomic relationships of Agropyron vaillantianum and E. arizonicus (Poaceae: Triticeae)

Abstract

Agropyron vaillantianum (Wulf. &Schreber) Trautv. and E. arizonicus (Scribn. &Smith) Gould were studied to describe their (i) reproductive characteristics, (ii) meiotic behavior, (iii) genomic constitution, and (iv) correct taxonomic alignment based on genomic relationships. Both species were found to be self-fertile tetraploids (2n = 28) and behaved as strict allotetraploids averaging 14.00 and 13.77 bivalents per cell, respectively. The hybrids A. vaillantianum × Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love, 2n = 14, SS, A. vaillantianum × E. trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners, 2n = 28, SSHH, and E. arizonicus × E. canadensis L., 2n = 28, SSHH, averaged 6.21, 12.56, and 12.60 bivalents per cell, respectively. Chromosome pairing in this series of hybrids demonstrated that A. vaillantianum and E. arizonicus contain the S and H genomes, with each taxon having a slight modification resulting from evolutionary pressures under different ecological parameters. On the basis of chromosome pairing and mode of pollination it is proposed that A. vaillantianum be treated in the genus Elymus rather than in the genus Agropyron, with the following new name combination: Elymus vaillantianus (Wulf. &Schreb.) K. B. Jensen comb.nov., based on Triticum vaillantianum Wulfen &Schreber. Elymus typically encompasses those species that are self-fertile, and contain the SH genomes. Elymus arizonicus has been correctly classified.Key words: genome, meiosis, chromosome pairing, cytology, interspecific hybridization, Elymus, Agropyron, and Triticeae.