Is hybridization driving the evolution of climatic niche in Alyssum montanum

Arrigo, Nils; Harpe, Marylaure de La; Litsios, Glenn; Zozomová-Lihová, Judita; Španiel, Stanislav; Marhold, Karol; Barker, Michael S.; Alvarez, Nadir

doi:10.3732/ajb.1500368

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Journal article

Is hybridization driving the evolution of climatic niche in Alyssum montanum

Arrigo, Nils Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland -
Harpe, Marylaure de La Unit of Ecology & Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Litsios, Glenn Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Zozomová-Lihová, Judita Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
Španiel, Stanislav Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia - Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Praha, Czech Republic
Marhold, Karol Institute of Botany, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia - Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Praha, Czech Republic
Barker, Michael S. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
Alvarez, Nadir Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland

14.04.2016

Published in:

American Journal of Botany. - 2016, vol. 103, no. 7, p. 1348-1357

Minority cytotype disadvantage

English PREMISE OF THE STUDY: After decades of interest, the contribution of hybridization to ecological diversification remains unclear. Hybridization is a potent source of novelty, but nascent hybrid lineages must overcome reproductive and ecological competition from their parental species. Here, we assess whether hybrid speciation is advantageous over alternative modes of speciation, by comparing the geographical and ecological ranges and climatic niche evolutionary rates of stabilized allopolyploid vs. autopolyploids in the Alyssum montanum species complex. METHODS: We combined an extensive review of studies addressing the systematics and genetic diversity of A. montanum s.l., with flow cytometry and cloning of nuclear markers, to establish the ploidy level and putative hybrid nature of 205 populations. The respective geographic distribution and climatic niche evolution dynamics of the allo- and autopolyploids were investigated using multivariate analyses and comparative phylogenetic approaches. KEY RESULTS: As expected by theory, allopolyploids occur mainly along contact zones and are generally spatially overlapping with their diploid counterparts. However, they demonstrate higher rates of niche evolution and expand into different climatic conditions than those of their diploid congeners. In contrast, autopolyploids show lower rates of niche evolution, occupy ecological niches similar to their ancestors and are restricted to less competitive and peripheral geographic areas. CONCLUSIONS: Hybridization thus seems advantageous by promoting ecological niche evolution and more readily allowing escape from competitive exclusion.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Biologie

Language