autopolyploidsus

Autopolyploidsus is a hypothetical taxon used in genetic and evolutionary biology to illustrate the consequences and mechanisms of autopolyploidy, the duplication of an organism’s genome within a single species. In this conceptual model, Autopolyploidsus arises when an individual undergoes genome duplication without hybridization, producing organisms with multiple homologous chromosome sets.

Taxonomy and identity: Autopolyploidsus is not described in formal taxonomic catalogs and is considered a fictitious or illustrative taxon. In the model, its genome comprises whole sets identical or nearly identical to the ancestral species, leading to polysomic inheritance patterns in some instances.

Genomic and genetic features: The organism would possess fixed polyploid chromosome complements (e.g., tetraploid, hexaploid) with high gene dosage. Meiotic pairing tends to form multivalents among homologous chromosomes, which can reduce fertility unless meiotic adaptations stabilize chromosome segregation. Some lineages may produce unreduced gametes, enabling rapid speciation.

Reproduction and adaptation: Autopolyploidsus serves as a framework to study how genome doubling affects phenotype, vigor, and ecological tolerance. Autopolyploid lineages often display increased cell size, altered development, and novel ecological niches, though fertility constraints may be present.

Detection and analysis: Researchers use flow cytometry to estimate genome size, karyotyping to count chromosomes, and sequencing to assess gene dosage and duplication. Experimental crosses can test inheritance patterns and fertility.

Significance: As a conceptual tool, Autopolyploidsus helps clarify how autopolyploidy can contribute to reproductive isolation and rapid diversification in plants, and occasionally in animals, under various environmental conditions.

See also: autopolyploidy, polyploidy, allopolyploidy.