Dataset Information

Influence of environmental factors on the genetic variation of the aquatic macrophyte Ranunculus subrigidus on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to the environmental heterogeneity along elevation gradients, alpine ecosystems are ideal study objects for investigating how ecological variables shape the genetic patterns of natural species. The highest region in the world, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is a hotspot for the studies of evolutionary processes in plants. Many large rivers spring from the plateau, providing abundant habitats for aquatic and amphibious organisms. In the present study, we examined the genetic diversity of 13 Ranunculus subrigidus populations distributed throughout the plateau in order to elucidate the relative contribution of geographic distance and environmental dissimilarity to the spatial genetic pattern.

Results

A relatively low level of genetic diversity within populations was found. No spatial genetic structure was suggested by the analyses of molecular variance, Bayesian clustering analysis and Mantel tests. Partial Mantel tests and multiple matrix regression analysis showed a significant influence of the environment on the genetic divergence of the species. Both climatic and water quality variables contribute to the habitat heterogeneity of R. subrigidus populations.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that historical processes involving long-distance dispersal and local adaptation may account for the genetic patterns of R. subrigidus and current environmental factors play an important role in the genetic differentiation and local adaptation of aquatic plants in alpine landscapes.

SUBMITTER: Wu Z

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6921560 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Influence of environmental factors on the genetic variation of the aquatic macrophyte Ranunculus subrigidus on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Wu Zhigang Z Xu Xinwei X Zhang Juan J Wiegleb Gerhard G Hou Hongwei H

BMC evolutionary biology 20191219 1

<h4>Background</h4>Due to the environmental heterogeneity along elevation gradients, alpine ecosystems are ideal study objects for investigating how ecological variables shape the genetic patterns of natural species. The highest region in the world, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is a hotspot for the studies of evolutionary processes in plants. Many large rivers spring from the plateau, providing abundant habitats for aquatic and amphibious organisms. In the present study, we examined the genetic ...[more]

PMID: 31856717

Similar Datasets

Project description:Aim:The evolutionary process of an organism provides valuable data toward an understanding of the Earth evolution history. To investigate the relationship between the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and mammalian evolution since the late Cenozoic, the geographic distribution of genetic variations in the Tibetan hamster Cricetulus kamensis was investigated using phylogeographical methods. In particular, population divergence, demographic history, genetic variation, and the prediction of species distribution area were investigated. Location:The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Methods:A total of 53 specimens, representing 13 geographic populations, were collected from the QTP. The phylogeographical pattern and demographic history of C. kamensis were analyzed, and the probable factors in the QTP uplift and the Quaternary glacial periods were inferred from one nuclear and four mitochondrial genes. Furthermore, the species distribution model (SDM) was used to predict changes in potentially suitable habitats since the last Interglacial. Results:Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that two major genetic differentiations of the C. kamensis population occurred during the Early Pleistocene that were influenced by the Qing-Zang tectonic movement from the Middle Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene. Genetic distance between two major clades indicated low genetic divergence. Demographic history analysis showed that the C. kamensis population was affected by the Quaternary glacial period. SDM analysis indicated that C. kamensis was endemic to the QTP and the suitable habitat was affected by climate change, especially during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Main conclusion:Our results indicated that the QTP uplift led to the population divergence of C. kamensis, and vicariance well accounted for the geographic distribution of genetic variation in C. kamensis as a result of genetic divergence and lack of gene flow. The genetic distance shows that C. alticola may be a subspecies of C. kamensis. Demographic history analysis suggests that the QTP was affected by the last glacial period. SDM analysis supports that almost the entire QTP is covered by a huge ice sheet during the LGM.

Dataset Information

Influence of environmental factors on the genetic variation of the aquatic macrophyte Ranunculus subrigidus on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Background

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Influence of environmental factors on the genetic variation of the aquatic macrophyte Ranunculus subrigidus on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Similar Datasets

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