scholarly journals Plant speciation in the face of recurrent climate changes in the Alps

Alpine Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Parisod

AbstractThe main, continuous mountain range of the European Alpine System (i.e., the Alps) hosts a diversified pool of species whose evolution has long been investigated. The legacy of past climate changes on the distribution of high-elevation plants as well as taxa differentially adapted to the mosaic of edaphic conditions (i.e., surmised ecotypes on calcareous, siliceous, serpentine bedrocks) and the origin of new species are here discussed based on available evidence from endemic taxa across the Alps. The integration of main spatial and ecological patterns within and among species supports speciation driven by spatial isolation in main glacial refugia where plant populations survived during cold phases and hindered by intense gene flow along main expansion pathways during warm phases. Despite patterns of genetic differentiation matching environmental heterogeneity, processes underlying the dynamics of distribution ranges likely promoted recurrent homogenization of incipient divergence and generally hindered the completion of speciation (except for cases of hybrid speciation). Even intense selective pressures on toxic bedrocks such as serpentine seemingly fail to support the completion of speciation. Accordingly, typical scenarios of ecological speciation whereby local adaptation to environmental heterogeneity initiates and supports long-term reduction of gene flow may rarely be at the origin of stable species in the Alps. Although consistent with neutral processes whereby spatial isolation driven by past climate changes promoted reproductive isolation and yielded limited diversification, mechanisms at the origin of new species across heterogeneous landscapes of the Alps remain insufficiently known. Necessary advances to reliably understand the evolution of biodiversity in the Alps and identify possible museums or cradles of variation in face of climate changes are discussed.

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2771 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
THOMAS HERTACH

Acoustic investigations of Cicadetta montana s. l. have revealed the presence of morphologically cryptic species in the last few years. This work describes the new cicada Cicadetta anapaistica sp. n. which was detected in the Madonie and Nebrodi Mountains (Italy, Sicily). The characteristic and sophisticated song is composed of three phrases, modulated on four typical power levels and three frequency ranges. The song pattern is compared with those of the closely related Cicadetta cerdaniensis and Cicadetta cantilatrix. Quantitative and even qualitative intraspecific differences of the song structure among individuals exist which appear to allow individual-specific recognition in many cases. As in other species of the complex, reliable morphological differences between the new species and others in the complex have not been found. The species is currently only known to be endemic to forest and ecotone habitats in a small mountain range. Because of this limited distribution the species is likely to be vulnerable to habitat and climate changes.


Heredity ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Balao ◽  
M Tannhäuser ◽  
M T Lorenzo ◽  
M Hedrén ◽  
O Paun

Abstract Allopolyploidization often happens recurrently, but the evolutionary significance of its iterative nature is not yet fully understood. Of particular interest are the gene flow dynamics and the mechanisms that allow young sibling polyploids to remain distinct while sharing the same ploidy, heritage and overlapping distribution areas. By using eight highly variable nuclear microsatellites, newly reported here, we investigate the patterns of divergence and gene flow between 386 polyploid and 42 diploid individuals, representing the sibling allopolyploids Dactylorhiza majalis s.s. and D. traunsteineri s.l. and their parents at localities across Europe. We make use in our inference of the distinct distribution ranges of the polyploids, including areas in which they are sympatric (that is, the Alps) or allopatric (for example, Pyrenees with D. majalis only and Britain with D. traunsteineri only). Our results show a phylogeographic signal, but no clear genetic differentiation between the allopolyploids, despite the visible phenotypic divergence between them. The results indicate that gene flow between sibling Dactylorhiza allopolyploids is frequent in sympatry, with potential implications for the genetic patterns across their entire distribution range. Limited interploidal introgression is also evidenced, in particular between D. incarnata and D. traunsteineri. Altogether the allopolyploid genomes appear to be porous for introgression from related diploids and polyploids. We conclude that the observed phenotypic divergence between D. majalis and D. traunsteineri is maintained by strong divergent selection on specific genomic areas with strong penetrance, but which are short enough to remain undetected by genotyping dispersed neutral markers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Mammola ◽  
Gustavo Hormiga ◽  
Miquel A. Arnedo ◽  
Marco Isaia

Pimoidae is a small family of araneoid spiders, hitherto represented in Europe by two species with disjunct distribution in the Alps and in the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. Here we report the description of two additional European species of Pimoa, discovered within the range of the only former alpine species, P. rupicola: P. graphitica sp. nov. and P. delphinica sp. nov. The new species are distinguished from the latter by genitalic characters as well as by molecular characters. On the basis of the re-examination of old and recent abundant material collected in caves and other subterranean habitats, we revise the distribution patterns of the genus Pimoa in the Alps and outline the species distribution ranges. Molecular data suggest the existence of gene flow between populations of the two new species when in sympatry. The different species probably originated in the alpine region as a result of range contractions following dramatic climatic changes in the Alps since the mid Miocene. We interpreted the present-day overlapping distribution in light of a possible postglacial expansion. Finally, we provide insights on the natural history and life cycles of the new species and discuss their phylogenetic relationships within Pimoidae.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayoshi Ishii ◽  
Nobuhito Mori

Abstract A large-ensemble climate simulation database, which is known as the database for policy decision-making for future climate changes (d4PDF), was designed for climate change risk assessments. Since the completion of the first set of climate simulations in 2015, the database has been growing continuously. It contains the results of ensemble simulations conducted over a total of thousands years respectively for past and future climates using high-resolution global (60 km horizontal mesh) and regional (20 km mesh) atmospheric models. Several sets of future climate simulations are available, in which global mean surface air temperatures are forced to be higher by 4 K, 2 K, and 1.5 K relative to preindustrial levels. Nonwarming past climate simulations are incorporated in d4PDF along with the past climate simulations. The total data volume is approximately 2 petabytes. The atmospheric models satisfactorily simulate the past climate in terms of climatology, natural variations, and extreme events such as heavy precipitation and tropical cyclones. In addition, data users can obtain statistically significant changes in mean states or weather and climate extremes of interest between the past and future climates via a simple arithmetic computation without any statistical assumptions. The database is helpful in understanding future changes in climate states and in attributing past climate events to global warming. Impact assessment studies for climate changes have concurrently been performed in various research areas such as natural hazard, hydrology, civil engineering, agriculture, health, and insurance. The database has now become essential for promoting climate and risk assessment studies and for devising climate adaptation policies. Moreover, it has helped in establishing an interdisciplinary research community on global warming across Japan.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sookyung Shin ◽  
Jung-Hyun Kim ◽  
Ji-Hee Dang ◽  
In-Soon Seo ◽  
Byoung Yoon Lee

AbstractThe climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.


Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3731 (4) ◽  
pp. 552 ◽  
Author(s):  
IZABELA M. BARATA ◽  
MARCUS T.T. SANTOS ◽  
FELIPE S.F. LEITE ◽  
PAULO C.A. GARCIA

2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 485-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela SCHMULL ◽  
Markus HAUCK

Lecidea hercynica Hauck & Schmull is described as a new species from Germany. It is characterized by a poorly developed or bullate to verrucose, areolate thallus on whitened spots of the substratum, numerous plane to yellowish brown to black, convex apothecia with a persistent margin, Micarea type-like asci, and by the presence of atranorin and protocetraric acid. It does not belong to Lecidea s. str., but is provisionally placed in Lecidea s. lat. until a taxonomic treatment of the whole group has been carried out. Lecidea hercynica is widespread in high-elevation forests of Picea abies in the Harz Mountains, where it grows preferably on decorticated wood in open situations.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 305 (4) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
MIGUEL DAVID DE LEON ◽  
MARK ARCEBAL NAIVE ◽  
JIM COOTES

A new Ceratostylis species from the Kalatungan Mountain Range, one of the mountains of Bukidnon that needs further exploration, is described and illustrated. Morphological diagnostic characters of related species of the genus are discussed. Though similar to C. elmeri, the new species is clearly distinguished by the size of the flower and by its uniquely small size labellum. It is also similar to C. philippinensis, however, it can be recognized by having a marked difference in the shape of the lip, sepals, and petals.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rens Hofman ◽  
Joern Kummerow ◽  
Simone Cesca ◽  
Joachim Wassermann ◽  
Thomas Plenefisch ◽  
...  

<p>The AlpArray seismological experiment is an international and interdisciplinary project to advance our understanding of geophysical processes in the greater Alpine region. The heart of the project consists of a large seismological array that covers the mountain range and its surrounding areas. To understand how the Alps and their neighbouring mountain belts evolved through time, we can only study its current structure and processes. The Eastern Alps are of prime interest since they currently demonstrate the highest crustal deformation rates. A key question is how these surface processes are linked to deeper structures. The Swath-D network is an array of temporary seismological stations complementary to the AlpArray network located in the Eastern Alps. This creates a unique opportunity to investigate high resolution seismicity on a local scale.</p><p>In this study, a combination of waveform-based detection methods was used to find small earthquakes in the large data volume of the Swath-D network. Methods were developed to locate the seismic events using semi-automatic picks, and estimate event magnitudes. We present an overview of the methods and workflow, as well as a preliminary overview of the seismicity in the Eastern Alps.</p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Stanislav Holubec

Abstract The article deals with Czech and German nationalist discourses and practices in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as they relate to tourism in the Krkonoše/Riesengebirge, the highest Central European mountain range between the Alps and Scandinavia. It will discuss the discourses developed in relation to mountain tourism and nationalism (metaphors of battlefields, wedges, walls, gates, and bastions), different symbolical cores of mountains, and practices of tourist and nationalist organizations (tourist trails and markings, excursions, the ownership of mountains huts, languages used, memorials, and the construction of roads). It will examine how these discourses and practices changed from the first Czech-German ethnic conflicts in the 1800s until the end of interwar Czechoslovakia. Finally, it will discuss the Czech culture of defeat in the shadow of the Munich Agreement, which meant the occupation of the Giant Mountains by Nazi Germany.


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