Re: Alocasia macrorrhizos and A. cucullata

**P* B* <p*@googlemail.com>**

LariAnn,

The answer to your first para is a definite yes, and in fact there is such a
category for such seemingly stable taxa where the hybridity is known or at
least heavily suspected - nothospecies (literally 'bastard' species). There
are a couple of Cryptocoryne (purpurea and the recently describe timahensis)
that are just this.

The problem with A. macrorrizos and A. cucullata is that the 'parentage', if
they are of hybrid origin, is unknown and short of an extensive set of
experiments with possible 'known suspects' (e.g., odora, navicularis, etc.)
will probably remain so unless there is a chance 'discovery' in the wild. 

Very best

Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: aroid-l-bounces@gizmoworks.com [aroid-l-bounces@gizmoworks.com]
On Behalf Of LariAnn
Sent: 07 September 2009 02:02
To: Discussion of aroids
Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Alocasia macrorrhizos and A. cucullata

Peter,

Interesting thoughts - I would think that if a variety, cultivar or 
hybrid has stabilized to such an extent that it comes true to seed and 
functions as a species, as you described, then wouldn't that mean it has 
actually become a new species, in effect?  Isn't that one way that 
speciation manifests itself?  Whether it took 100 years or 1000 years, 
that should not make it any less of a new species, should it?

Regarding the barriers to crossing, all of the barrier factors you 
mentioned, with the exception of genetic incompatibility, are factors 
that can be overcome by judicious hybridization work.  I can preserve 
pollen to make up for flowering time differences, I can grow the plants 
together even though in habitat they may be very far away from each 
other, I can do my pollinations at different times of day in order to 
find the right time, and, of course, I can learn how to be the right 
pollinator myself.  What I cannot do in traditional hybridization is to 
overcome a genetic or biochemical barrier to the production of viable 
pollen or ovules, or to the growth of the pollen on the stigma. However, 
as a result of my work, I've done some hybridizations that I actually 
thought were genetically impossible.  The most remarkable example is my 
hybrid of A. odora and A. reginula.  Predictably, the progeny are 
sterile, but the plants are beautiful.  Perhaps, in time, the plant may 
stabilize genetically and manifest fertility.

Kind regards,
LariAnn
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