The effects of genome duplications in a community context

Contents Summary 57 I. Introduction 57 II. Impact of WGD on community context of polyploids: from the ground up 59 III. Predicted mechanisms by which WGD could affect community context 59 IV. Moving towards a predictive framework 63 V. Recurrent formation, geographic mosaics, and community context 64 VI. Alternative perspectives – impact of the appearance of polyploid plants in a community 64 VII. Sand, pebbles, and boulders 66 Acknowledgements 66 References 66 Summary Whole‐genome duplication ( WGD ), or polyploidy, has important effects on the genotype and phenotype of plants, potentially altering ecological interactions with other organisms. Even though the connections between polyploidy and species interactions have been recognized for some time, we are only just beginning to test whether WGD affects community context. Here I review the sparse information on polyploidy and community context and then present a set of hypotheses for future work. Thus far, community‐level studies of polyploids suggest an array of outcomes, from no changes in community context to shifts in the abundance and composition of interacting species. I propose a number of mechanisms for how WGD could alter community context and how the emergence of polyploids in populations could also alter the community context of parental diploids and other plant species. Resolving how and when these changes are expected to occur will require a deeper understanding of the connections among WGD , phenotypic changes, and the direct and indirect effects of species interactions.