Description of possible natural hybrids between Nothofagus pumilio and N. antarctica at South Patagonia (Argentina)

Abstract

The Nothofagus genus includes about 35 native tree species of the Southern hemisphere. In Patagonia various natural hybrids among different species of the genus were found. The aim of this work was to describe and determine the presence of putative natural hybrids between N. pumilio and N. antarctica at South Patagonia, through the study of morphological leaf characteristics. Twenty possible hybrids (individuals with both parental species characteristics), 10 pure individuals of each of the two parental species, were studied. Material was collected in transition areas between N. pumilio and N. antarctica in Tierra del Fuego forests. Twenty leaves of each individual were selected through random sampling. Length, width, distance from the largest width to the base, shape, base, apex and petiole length of each leaf were measured. The leaves of the supposed hybrid differ from those of N. pumilio in their size, distance of the largest width to the base and base. Nothofagus antarctica leaves are different from the supposed hybrid in their border, size and distance of the largest width to the base and base. These results prove that the studied species hybridize naturally in transition areas. This hybridization capacity can be used in genetic improvement programs for the development of individuals with the best characteristics of each parental species.