Latitudinal Biogeographic Structuring in the Globally Distributed Moss Ceratodon purpureus. ...

• Main Authors: Biersma, Elisabeth M, Convey, Peter, Wyber, Rhys, Robinson, Sharon A, Dowton, Mark, Van De Vijver, Bart, Linse, Katrin, Griffiths, Howard, Jackson, Jennifer A
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media SA 2020
• Subjects: Antarctica; bryophyte; global; model organism; moss; phylogeography; spore; wind; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17863/cam.58209; https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/311120

Biogeographic patterns of globally widespread species are expected to reflect regional structure, as well as connectivity caused by occasional long-distance dispersal. We assessed the level and drivers of population structure, connectivity, and timescales of population isolation in one of the most widespread and ruderal plants in the world - the common moss Ceratodon purpureus. We applied phylogenetic, population genetic, and molecular dating analyses to a global (n = 147) sampling data set, using three chloroplast loci and one nuclear locus. The plastid data revealed several distinct and geographically structured lineages, with connectivity patterns associated with worldwide, latitudinal "bands." These imply that connectivity is strongly influenced by global atmospheric circulation patterns, with dispersal and establishment beyond these latitudinal bands less common. Biogeographic patterns were less clear within the nuclear marker, with gene duplication likely hindering the detection of these. Divergence ...