Interspecific hybridization in wild roses (Rosa L. sect. Caninae DC.)

Abstract

Variability of morphological characters and Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers is studied in a mixed multispecies sympatric growth of wild roses in Lugansk province of Ukraine. Several methods of data analysis are used, such as Principal Coordinates Analysis, cluster analysis (UPGMA), and Bayesian analyses of population structure with the Structure 2.2 and NewHybrids programs. The results indicate that there are four species growing at the site, viz. R. canina, R. villosa, R. dimorpha, and R. podolica, as well as various hybrids between them. The hybrid nature of the specimens is confirmed by molecular data, however they are not intermediate between the parental species as to their morphology. The hybrids either coincide morphologically with one of the parents, or demonstrate novel combinations of diagnostic characters.