Allopolyploidy



Allopolyploids are one of two forms of polyploidism (1). Allopolyploids are the combination of chromosomes sets from different species after hybridization occurs (1, 2). This process often results in the formation of new species in eukaryotic organisms when the parent species differ by any degree (3). Allopolyploid species have multiple copies of genes (homeologs)(3). Most plant species are allopolyploid (1).

Allopolyploids result in hybrid individuals and can be crucial to the evolutionary process of a species (3). There is some speculation that the recombination and formation of new genomes actively benefit species by enhancing genetic diversity within the new population (2). Over time, the hybrid individuals become dominant and replace the previous generation's phenotypes (2).

Sources:

(1) Allopolyploidy, Botany. Encyclopedia Brittanica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/16534/allopolyploidy (2) Estep, M.C., McKain, M.R., Diaz, D.V., Zhong, J., Hodge, J.G., Hodkinson, T.R., Layton, D.J., Malcomber, S.T., Pasquet, R., Kellogg, E.A., Allopolyploidy, diversification, and the Miocene grassland expansion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of North America, July 29, 2014. vol. 111, no. 42 (3) Wandrille, D., Dupoint, P., Campbell, M.A., Ganley, A. R. D., Cox, M.P., HyLiTE: accurate and flexible analysis of gene expression in hybrid and allopolyploid species. BMC Bioinformatics. 2015, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p216-223. 8p. 1 Graph.