Chemical evidence for hybridity in Drosera (Droseraceae)

• Naphthoquinone patterns are constant in and characteristic for all Drosera species investigated.
• Most species contain only one quinone regioisomer, plumbagin or 7-methyljuglone.
• Naphthoquinone patterns in Drosera hybrids between quinone-heterogenous parents are reported here for the first time.
• All investigated hybrids between quinone-heterogenous parents contain both isomers at almost equal concentrations.
• Supposed, co-dominant heredity allows predictions on hybridity and parentage in some Drosera taxa.

Naphthoquinone patterns found in Drosera hybrids between quinone-heterogenous parent species are reported here for the first time. Quinone patterns are constant in and characteristic for all taxa investigated. Each investigated parent species contains only one quinone isomer (either plumbagin or 7-methyljuglone), whereas all investigated hybrids between quinone-heterogenous parent species contain both isomers at almost equal concentrations, which indicates co-dominant heredity resulting from expression of both parental loci affecting regioselectivity in the biosynthesis of these acetogenic metabolites. This allows predictions on hybridity (and possibly on parentage) in some taxa of the genus.

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