Unreduced gametes, which have the somatic (2n) chromosome number, are an important precursor to polyploid formation and apomixis. The product of irregularities in meiosis, 2n gametes are expected to be rare and deleterious in most natural populations, contrary to their wide taxonomic distribution and the prevalence of polyploidy. To better understand this discrepancy, we review contemporary evidence related to four aspects of 2n gamete dynamics in natural populations: (i) estimates of their frequency; (ii) their environmental and genetic determinants; (iii) adaptive and nonadaptive processes regulating their evolution; and (iv) factors regulating their union and production of polyploids in diploid populations. Aided by high-throughput methods of detection, these foci will advance our understanding of variation in 2n gametes within and among species, and their role in polyploid evolution.

具有体细胞（2n）染色体数的未还原配子是多倍体形成和无融合生殖的重要前体。减数分裂中不规则的产物2n配子在大多数自然种群中被认为是稀有有害的，这与它们广泛的分类学分布和多倍体的流行相反。为了更好地理解这种差异，我们回顾了与自然种群中2n配子动力学的四个方面有关的当代证据：（ii）其环境和遗传决定因素；（iii）调节其进化的适应性和非适应性过程；（iv）调节其在二倍体群体中的结合和多倍体产量的因素。在高通量检测方法的帮助下，