Hybridization in willows (Salix L.)

We studied a population of hybrids between Salix purpurea and S. helvetica that has recently emerged on a glacier forefield in the European Alps due to secondary contact of the parental species. We used SNPs produced by RAD sequencing to analyse the genetic composition of the hybrid zone, as well as backcrossing versus F2 hybrid (hybrid x hybrid) formation and segregation distortion in the second hybrid generation.