Karyotypic and genetic variations can provide unique insights into how historical, ecological and cytogenetic factors influence microevolution. Kono et al. study a coastal herb, Lysimachia mauritiana, and find eight cytotypes, including four endemic to Taiwan. Cytotype distributions are highly structured geographically, with single cytotypes present in most populations, and four major cytotypes occuring. Allozyme variation is [...]

Kron and Husband describe a simple method for extracting pollen nuclei for measuring DNA content with flow cytometry, involving the bursting of pollen through a nylon mesh. The method compares favourably to other common protocols, and in tests on 80 taxonomically diverse species the data meet quality control criteria for genome size studies in more [...]