Drivers of plant diversification along an altitudinal gradient in the alpine desert grassland, Northern Tibetan Plateau

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 53, P. e02987 - e02987

Published: May 13, 2024

Revealing alpine plant diversity patterns can contribute to conserving mountain diversity. However, the spatial variation in ecological niche and of community mechanism by which it maintains itself desert grasslands remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a field investigation across altitudinal gradients (3093, 3296, 3549, 3790 m) northern Tibetan Plateau compared species composition, indices, Levins' breadth, Pianka's overlap. The results showed that perennial herbs replaced semi-shrubs xermesophytes mesophytes xerophytes with increasing altitude. heights decreased cover herb layer increased altitude, whereas shrub was hump-shaped. Species indices (Patrick, Pielou, Shannon-Wiener, Simpson) Sympegma regelii (1.05), Leymus chinensis (1.03), Reaumuria kaschgarica (0.94) had larger breadths were widespread. high overlap occupied considerable proportion at higher altitudes, indicating strong interactions among species. redundancy analysis revealed soil water content, organic matter pH main factors driving changes (P = 0.036, F 3.7). Our study illustrated environmental filtering biotic jointly shape composition along gradients.

Language: Английский

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Genomics of altitude‐associated wing shape in two tropical butterflies

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30(23), P. 6387 - 6402

Published: July 7, 2021

Understanding how organisms adapt to their local environment is central evolution. With new whole-genome sequencing technologies and the explosion of data, deciphering genomic basis complex traits that are ecologically relevant becoming increasingly feasible. Here, we studied wing shape in two Neotropical butterflies inhabit large geographical ranges. Heliconius at high elevations have been shown generally rounder wings than those lowlands. We reared over 1,100 from 71 broods H. erato melpomene common-garden conditions showed aspect ratio, is, elongatedness, highly heritable both species elevation-associated ratio differences maintained. Genome-wide associations with a published data set 666 whole genomes across hybrid zone, uncovered polygenic variation wild. identified several genes roles morphogenesis or Drosophila flies, making them promising candidates for future studies. There was little evidence molecular parallelism species, only one shared candidate gene, nor role four known colour pattern loci, except optix erato. Thus, present first insights into heritability within-species adding growing body adaptation may underlie many traits.

Language: Английский

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Anthropogenic evolution in an insect wing polymorphism following widespread deforestation

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 17(8), P. 20210069 - 20210069

Published: Aug. 1, 2021

Anthropogenic environmental change can underpin major shifts in natural selective regimes, and thus alter the evolutionary trajectories of wild populations. However, little is known about impacts deforestation—one most pervasive human-driven changes to terrestrial ecosystems globally. Absence forest cover (i.e. exposure) has been suggested play a role selecting for insect flightlessness montane ecosystems. Here, we capitalize on variation alpine treeline elevation New Zealand test whether anthropogenic deforestation caused distributions flight-capable flightless phenotypes wing-polymorphic lineage stoneflies from Zelandoperla fenestrata species complex. Transect sampling revealed sharp transitions populations with increasing elevation. these phenotypic were consistently delineated by local treelines, rather than absolute elevation, providing novel example evolution response recent deforestation. The inferred rapid newly deforested regions have implications conservation invertebrate biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Demographic consequences of dispersal‐related trait shift in two recently diverged taxa of montane grasshoppers*

Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 75(8), P. 1998 - 2013

Published: March 1, 2021

Although the pervasiveness of intraspecific wing-size polymorphism and transitions to flightlessness have long captivated biologists, demographic outcomes shifts in dispersal ability are not yet well understood been seldom studied at early stages diversification. Here, we use genomic data infer consequences dispersal-related trait variation taxonomically controversial short-winged (Chorthippus corsicus corsicus) long-winged pascuorum) Corsican grasshoppers. Our analyses revealed lack contemporary hybridization between sympatric long- forms phylogenomic reconstructions supported their taxonomic distinctiveness, rejecting hypothesis wing polymorphism. Statistical evaluation alternative models speciation strongly a scenario Pleistocene divergence (<1.5 Ma) with ancestral gene flow. According neutral expectations from differences capacity, historical effective migration rates taxon were threefold higher than opposite direction. populations two taxa present marked genetic structure experienced parallel histories, our coalescent-based suggest that reduced has fueled diversification C. c. corsicus. Collectively, study illustrates how reduction can speed up geographical increase opportunity for allopatric topographically complex landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Insights into Aotearoa New Zealand’s biogeographic history provided by the study of natural hybrid zones

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 54(1), P. 55 - 74

Published: April 11, 2022

Hybridisation is commonly observed in geographical zones of contact between distinct lineages. These have long been interest for biogeographers because they provide insight into the evolutionary and ecological processes that influence distribution species as well process speciation. Here we review research on hybrid past introgression, both terrestrial marine, Aotearoa New Zealand. Many Zealand's occur lineages or diverged prior to Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), with numerous divergences dating early Pleistocene Pliocene. Few secondary detected plants marine taxa. This may reflect a lack intensive sampling required detect these groups but also indicate widespread survival across country. Lastly, suggest avenues Zealand are likely be fruitful.

Language: Английский

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ebony underpins Batesian mimicry in melanic stoneflies

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(18), P. 4986 - 4998

Published: July 28, 2023

The evolution of Batesian mimicry - whereby harmless species avoid predation through their resemblance to harmful has long intrigued biologists. In rare cases, is linked intraspecific colour variation, in which only some individuals within a population resemble noxious 'model'. Here, we assess variation widespread New Zealand stonefly, wherein highly melanized Zelandoperla closely chemically defended aposematic Austroperla cyrene. We convergence the pattern these two species, compare relative palatability predators, and use genome-wide association mapping genetic basis this resemblance. Our analysis reveals that overlap significantly with space but are more palatable implying they indeed mimics. Analysis 194,773 SNPs an outlier locus (ebony) strongly differentiating melanic versus non-melanic Zelandoperla. Genotyping 338 specimens from single indicates ebony explains nearly 70% observed variance melanism. As well-documented role insect melanin biosynthesis, our findings indicate conserved function across deeply divergent hexapod lineages. Distributional records suggest link between occurrence forested ecosystems where model abundant, suggesting potential for adaptive shifts system underpinned by environmental change.

Language: Английский

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Human-driven evolution of color in a stonefly mimic

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 386(6720), P. 453 - 458

Published: Oct. 24, 2024

Rapid adaptation is thought to be critical for the survival of species under global change, but our understanding human-induced evolution in wild remains limited. We show that widespread deforestation has underpinned repeated color shifts insect populations. Specifically, loss forest led changes across lineages mimic warning coloration a toxic stonefly. Predation experiments suggest relative fitness phenotypes varies between forested and deforested habitats. Genomic analyses 1200 specimens selection at

Language: Английский

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Reduced olfactory acuity in recently flightless insects suggests rapid regressive evolution

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 22(1)

Published: April 16, 2022

Abstract Background Insects have exceptionally fast smelling capabilities, and some can track the temporal structure of odour plumes at rates above 100 Hz. It has been hypothesized that this capability is an adaptation for flying. We test hypothesis by comparing olfactory acuity sympatric flighted versus flightless lineages within a wing-polymorphic stonefly species. Results Our analyses receptor neuron responses reveal recently-evolved reduced acuity. By ecotypes with similar genetic backgrounds, we eliminate other confounding factors might affected evolution their reception mechanisms. detection different patterns response strength speed in independently wing-reduced suggests parallel Conclusions These reductions echo rapid reduction wings themselves, represent to convergent phenotypic shifts seen under selective gradients sensory systems (e.g. loss vision cave fauna). study provides evidence flight poses pressure on emphasizes energetic costs olfaction.

Language: Английский

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Genomic signatures of parallel alpine adaptation in recently evolved flightless insects

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30(24), P. 6677 - 6686

Published: Sept. 30, 2021

Natural selection along elevational gradients has potential to drive predictable adaptations across distinct lineages, but the extent of such repeated evolution remains poorly studied for many widespread alpine taxa. We present parallel genomic analyses two recently evolved flightless insect lineages test molecular signatures adaptation. Specifically, we compare low-elevation vs. stonefly ecotypes from stream populations in which upland have been independently derived. map 67,922 polymorphic genetic markers, generated 176 Zelandoperla fenestrata specimens independent New Zealand's Rock and Pillar Range, a newly developed plecopteran reference genome. Genome-wide scans revealed 31 regions with outlier single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) differentiating lowland Lug Creek, 37 outliers Six Mile Creek. Of these regions, 13% (8/60) yielded SNPs both within-stream ecotype comparisons, implying comparable shifts contribute this Candidate genes closely linked include several documented roles wing-development (e.g., dishevelled), suggesting that they may wing reduction. Additional candidate shown influence fecundity ovo) lifespan Mrp4), might life history differentiation between ecotypes. reproductive isolation among (hedgehog Desaturase 1). These results demonstrate how replicated tests can potentially discovery underpinning

Language: Английский

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Genomics Reveals Exceptional Phylogenetic Diversity Within a Narrow-Range Flightless Insect

Insect Systematics and Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 6(2)

Published: March 1, 2022

Abstract Range-restricted upland taxa are prone to population bottlenecks and thus typically have low genetic diversity, making them particularly vulnerable environmental change. In this study, we used a combination of genotyping-by-sequencing (10,419 SNPs) mitochondrial COI sequencing test for structure within the narrow-range flightless sub-alpine stonefly Zelandoperla maungatuaensis Foster. This species is restricted only handful streams along 4 km stretch isolated Maungatua range in southeast New Zealand. We identified striking across narrow Z. maungatuaensis, with three deeply divergent allopatric lineages detected. These distinct likely diverged early-mid Pleistocene, apparently persisting separate microrefugia throughout subsequent glacial cycles. Our results illustrate how secondary flight loss can facilitate insect diversification fine spatial scales, demonstrate that intraspecific phylogenetic diversity cannot necessarily be predicted from range-size alone. Additional demographic analyses required better understand conservation status these lineages, assess their potential susceptibility climate change other anthropogenic impacts.

Language: Английский

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