NUCLEAR DNA CONTENTS, SHOOT PHENOLOGY AND SPECIES CO‐EXISTENCE IN A LIMESTONE GRASSLAND COMMUNITY

Abstract
Summary: Within a species‐rich limestone grassland community in Northern England a correlation has been established between nuclear DNA content and the timing and rate of leaf extension in the spring. The data support the hypothesis that natural selection has operated upon nuclear DNA content through the differential sensitivity of cell division and cell expansion to low temperature. It is suggested that measurements of nuclear DNA content may provide an index of temporal niche differentiation in plant communities.

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