Dataset Information

Multiple markers, niche modelling, and bioregions analyses to evaluate the genetic diversity of a plant species complex.

ABSTRACT: The classification of closely related plants is not straightforward. These morphologically similar taxa frequently maintain their inter-hybridization potential and share ancestral polymorphisms as a consequence of their recent divergence. Under the biological species concept, they may thus not be considered separate species. The Petunia integrifolia complex is especially interesting because, in addition to the features mentioned above, its taxa share a pollinator, and their geographical ranges show multiple overlaps. Here, we combined plastid genome sequences, nuclear microsatellites, AFLP markers, ecological niche modelling, and bioregions analysis to investigate the genetic variability between the different taxa of the P. integrifolia complex in a comprehensive sample covering the entire geographical range of the complex.Results from molecular markers did not fully align with the current taxonomic classification. Niche modelling and bioregions analyses revealed that taxa were associated with different ecological constraints, indicating that the habitat plays an important role in preserving species boundaries. For three taxa, our analyses showed a mostly conserved, non-overlapping geographical distribution over time. However, for two taxa, niche modelling found an overlapping distribution over time; these taxa were also associated with the same bioregions.cpDNA markers were better able to discriminate between Petunia taxa than SSRs and AFLPs. Overall, our results suggest that the P. integrifolia complex represents a continuum of individuals from distant and historically isolated populations, which share some morphological traits, but are established in four different evolutionary lineages.

SUBMITTER: Segatto ALA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5707870 | biostudies-other | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Multiple markers, niche modelling, and bioregions analyses to evaluate the genetic diversity of a plant species complex.

Segatto Ana Lúcia A ALA Reck-Kortmann Maikel M Turchetto Caroline C Freitas Loreta B LB

BMC evolutionary biology 20171129 1

<h4>Background</h4>The classification of closely related plants is not straightforward. These morphologically similar taxa frequently maintain their inter-hybridization potential and share ancestral polymorphisms as a consequence of their recent divergence. Under the biological species concept, they may thus not be considered separate species. The Petunia integrifolia complex is especially interesting because, in addition to the features mentioned above, its taxa share a pollinator, and their ge ...[more]

PMID: 29187208

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Project description:Misiones, Argentina, contains the largest remaining tract of Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest ecoregion; however, ~50% of native forest is unprotected and located in a mosaic of plantations, agriculture, and pastures. Existing protected areas are becoming increasingly isolated due to ongoing habitat modification. These factors, combined with lower than expected regional carnivore densities, emphasize the need to understand the effect of fragmentation on animal movement and connectivity between protected areas. Using detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat, we collected data on jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus), and bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) across habitats that varied in vegetation, disturbance, human proximity, and protective status. With MaxEnt we evaluated habitat use, habitat suitability, and potential species richness for the five carnivores across northern-central Misiones, Argentina. Through a multifaceted cost analysis that included unique requirements of each carnivore and varying degrees of overlap among them, we determined the optimal location for primary/secondary corridors that would link the northern-central zones of the Green Corridor in Misiones and identified areas within these corridors needing priority management. A secondary analysis, comparing these multispecies corridors with the jaguar's unique requirements, demonstrated that this multispecies approach balanced the preferences of all five species and effectively captured areas required by this highly restricted and endangered carnivore. We emphasize the potential importance of expanding beyond a single umbrella or focal species when developing biological corridors that aim to capture the varied ecological requirements of coexisting species and ecological processes across the landscape. Detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat allow data on multiple species to be collected efficiently across multiple habitat types independent of the degree of legal protection. These data used with multifocal GIS analyses balance the varying degree of overlap and unique properties among them allowing for comprehensive conservation strategies to be developed relatively rapidly. Our comprehensive approach serves as a model to other regions faced with habitat loss and lack of data. The five carnivores focused on in our study have wide ranges, so the results from this study can be expanded and combined with surrounding countries, with analyses at the species or community level.

Dataset Information

Multiple markers, niche modelling, and bioregions analyses to evaluate the genetic diversity of a plant species complex.

Publications

Multiple markers, niche modelling, and bioregions analyses to evaluate the genetic diversity of a plant species complex.

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