Is intraspecific variability an advantage in mountain invasions? Comparing functional trait variation in an invasive and a native woody species along multiple environmental gradients

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Cecilia Ferrero ◽  
Paula A. Tecco ◽  
Diego E. Gurvich
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Native Woody Species

scholarly journals Phenotypic plasticity can reverse the relative extent of intra- and interspecific variability across a thermal gradient

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1953) ◽  
pp. 20210428
Author(s):  
Staffan Jacob ◽  
Delphine Legrand
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Thermal Gradient ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Interspecific Variability ◽  
Ciliate Species ◽  
Relative Extent ◽  
Trait Variability

Intra- and interspecific variability can both ensure ecosystem functions. Generalizing the effects of individual and species assemblages requires understanding how much within and between species trait variation is genetically based or results from phenotypic plasticity. Phenotypic plasticity can indeed lead to rapid and important changes of trait distributions, and in turn community functionality, depending on environmental conditions, which raises a crucial question: could phenotypic plasticity modify the relative importance of intra- and interspecific variability along environmental gradients? We quantified the fundamental niche of five genotypes in monocultures for each of five ciliate species along a wide thermal gradient in standardized conditions to assess the importance of phenotypic plasticity for the level of intraspecific variability compared to differences between species. We showed that phenotypic plasticity strongly influences trait variability and reverses the relative extent of intra- and interspecific variability along the thermal gradient. Our results show that phenotypic plasticity may lead to either increase or decrease of functional trait variability along environmental gradients, making intra- and interspecific variability highly dynamic components of ecological systems.

scholarly journals Physiological variation reflects bioclimatic differences in the Drosophila americana species complex

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy S. Davis ◽  
Leonie C. Moyle
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Desiccation Resistance ◽  
Uv Resistance ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Geographic Space

AbstractBackgroundDisentangling the selective factors shaping adaptive trait variation is an important but challenging task. Many studies—especially in Drosophila—have documented trait variation along latitudinal or altitudinal clines, but frequently lack resolution about specific environmental gradients that could be causal selective agents, and often do not investigate covariation between traits simultaneously. Here we examined variation in multiple macroecological factors across geographic space and their associations with variation in three physiological traits (desiccation resistance, UV resistance, and pigmentation) at both population and species scales, to address the role of abiotic environment in shaping trait variation.ResultsUsing environmental data from collection locations of three North American Drosophila species—D. americana americana, D. americana texana and D. novamexicana—we identified two primary axes of macroecological variation; these differentiated species habitats and were strongly loaded for precipitation and moisture variables. In nine focal populations (three per species) assayed for each trait, we detected significant species-level variation for both desiccation resistance and pigmentation, but not for UV resistance. Species-level trait variation was consistent with differential natural selection imposed by variation in habitat water availability, although patterns of variation differed between desiccation resistance and pigmentation, and we found little evidence for pleiotropy between traits.ConclusionsOur multi-faceted approach enabled us to identify potential agents of natural selection and examine how they might influence the evolution of multiple traits at different evolutionary scales. Our findings highlight that environmental factors influence functional trait variation in ways that can be complex, and point to the importance of studies that examine these relationships at both population- and species-levels.

Functional trait variation along environmental gradients in temperate and Mediterranean trees

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 1377-1389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Vilà-Cabrera ◽  
Jordi Martínez-Vilalta ◽  
Javier Retana
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Trait Variation

scholarly journals Desiccation resistance and pigmentation variation reflects bioclimatic differences in the Drosophila americana species complex

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy S. Davis ◽  
Leonie C. Moyle
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Desiccation Resistance ◽  
Uv Resistance ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Geographic Space

Abstract Background Disentangling the selective factors shaping adaptive trait variation is an important but challenging task. Many studies—especially in Drosophila—have documented trait variation along latitudinal or altitudinal clines, but frequently lack resolution about specific environmental gradients that could be causal selective agents, and often do not investigate covariation between traits simultaneously. Here we examined variation in multiple macroecological factors across geographic space and their associations with variation in three physiological traits (desiccation resistance, UV resistance, and pigmentation) at both population and species scales, to address the role of abiotic environment in shaping trait variation. Results Using environmental data from collection locations of three North American Drosophila species—D. americana americana, D. americana texana and D. novamexicana—we identified two primary axes of macroecological variation; these differentiated species habitats and were strongly loaded for precipitation and moisture variables. In nine focal populations (three per species) assayed for each trait, we detected significant species-level variation for both desiccation resistance and pigmentation, but not for UV resistance. Species-level trait variation was consistent with differential natural selection imposed by variation in habitat water availability, although patterns of variation differed between desiccation resistance and pigmentation, and we found little evidence for pleiotropy between traits. Conclusions Our multi-faceted approach enabled us to identify potential agents of natural selection and examine how they might influence the evolution of multiple traits at different evolutionary scales. Our findings highlight that environmental factors influence functional trait variation in ways that can be complex, and point to the importance of studies that examine these relationships at both population- and species-levels.

scholarly journals Functional trait variation related to gap dynamics in tropical moist forests: A vegetation modelling perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 52-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrique Fürstenau Togashi ◽  
Owen K. Atkin ◽  
Keith J. Bloomfield ◽  
Matt Bradford ◽  
Kunfang Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Trait ◽  
Gap Dynamics ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Vegetation Modelling

scholarly journals Ecological Factors Preventing Restoration of Degraded Short Tussock Landscapes in New Zealand’s Dryland Zone

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna P. Rodrigues ◽  
Elena Moltchanova ◽  
David A. Norton ◽  
Matthew Turnbull
Keyword(s):  
Water Availability ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Introduced Herbivores ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Native Woody Species ◽  
Dryland Ecosystems ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Chemical Conditions

AbstractBiotic factors such as the presence of invasive animal and/or plant species are well known as major causes of ecological degradation and as limiting either natural or assisted (human-induced) ecological restoration. However, abiotic aspects of the landscape, such as water availability and soil physical/chemical conditions can also potentially limit restoration and should be considered. Dryland ecosystems are amongst the world’s most threatened and least protected. New Zealand’s drylands have been drastically changed, initially through burning, agricultural and grazing practices and the impacts of introduced herbivores and plants. This research aimed at identifying some of the key environmental factors preventing the reestablishment of native woody species in a New Zealand dryland ecosystem. The experiments involved a combination of shading, irrigation and grazing exclusion. The results showed that supplemental water was not beneficial for the survival and growth of the native seedlings, unless combined with shade. Fencing proved important for establishment, even though the species used are regarded in the literature as unpalatable to herbivores. The results indicated that the presence of shade was fundamental for the establishment and growth of the native seedlings likely due to improvements in the microclimate, soil aeration, and water availability to seedlings.

Mycorrhizal response and successional status in 80 woody species from south Brazil

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Zangaro ◽  
S. M. A. Nisizaki ◽  
J. C. B. Domingos ◽  
E. M. Nakano
Keyword(s):  
Woody Species ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Am Fungi ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Pioneer Species ◽  
Climax Species ◽  
Native Woody Species ◽  
Successional Species ◽  
Mycorrhizal Response ◽  
South Brazil

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonization and response were studied in seedlings of 80 native woody species belonging to different successional groups from the Tibagi River Basin, Paraná State, south Brazil. This study includes data from 43 native woody species already published. The results with 80 species did not differ from the results of the 43 species. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in plastic bags filled with a mix of subsoil (85%) and sand (15%), inoculated or not with spores of native AM fungi obtained from rhizosphere soil of different native tree species in an area with natural vegetation dominated by woody pioneer species. The successional groups were represented by 16 pioneer, 20 early secondary, 29 late-secondary and 15 climax species. The AM response and colonization in the greenhouse were 5.9 and 4.2 times greater in the early successional species than in the late-successional species, respectively. Seedlings of 49 woody species were collected in the interior under the canopy of the tropical forest of the Mata dos Godoy State Park and in a cleared area dominated by woody pioneer species. The percentage of AM colonization in the field was 54.9, 40.4, 7.2 and 3.1 for the pioneer, early secondary, late-secondary and climax species, respectively. The response to AM inoculation was strongly and directly related to AM colonization in the greenhouse and field and inversely related to seed weight. The AM colonization in the greenhouse was strongly and directly related to AM colonization in field. The late-successional species showed lower AM colonization and response than early successional species. The accentuated mycotrophism of the early successional species may be involved in their establishment, growth, survival and early forest structuring on low-fertility soils.

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