Hybrids of broad-leaved Potamogeton (Potamogetonaceae) are common in Siberia

• Published in: Flora. Morphologie, Geobotanik, Oekophysiologie Geobotanik, Oekophysiologie, 2024-12, p.152663, Article 152663
• Main Authors: Bobrov, Alexander A., Efimov, Denis Yu, Chemeris, Elena V., Efimova, Lyudmila A., Tikhomirov, Nikita P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic plants; continental climates; elevation; field studies; flora; habitats; herbaria; hybrids; lakes; latitude; morphology; Potamogeton; rivers; Siberia; species; taxonomy
• ISSN: 0367-2530
• DOI: 10.1016/j.flora.2024.152663

•Hybrids between P. gramineus, P. lucens, P. natans, P. perfoliatus are the most common in Siberia.•They reach highest density in areas where both parental species are frequent.•Recorded hybrid incidence correlates with research effort.•Hybrid diversity and frequency are highest south of 60° N in Siberia.•Hybrids are more frequent in rivers in area below 800 m a.s.l. and in lakes above this elevation. We have summarized the distribution of Potamogeton hybrids in Siberia based on extensive field and herbarium work. Four most common broad-leaved Potamogeton hybrids, P. × angustifolius, P. × nitens, P. × salicifolius and P. × sparganiifolius, and one very rare P. × cognatus occur in 178 localities, of which 108 are newly reported ones. Hybrids are mostly found in areas where both parental species are common and the research activity is high. Unlike Europe where both hybrid diversity and frequency of occurrence increase with latitude, in Siberia both diversity and frequency peak south of 60° N, which is the northern distribution limit for many Potamogeton species due to the more severe continental climate of Siberia. Habitat preferences of the hybrids depend on the dominant type of water bodies and the suitability of environmental conditions in the area. In the southern lowlands, most records of hybrids are made in rivers. At higher elevations (>800 m a.s.l.) or at the northern and western distribution limits, Potamogeton hybrids were found in lakes or stagnant water bodies.