A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments
Abstract Arctic and subarctic ecosystems are rapidly transforming due to global warming, emphasizing the need to understand the genetic diversity and adaptive strategies of northern plant species for effective conservation. This study focuses on Betula glandulosa, a native North American tundra shru...
Published in: | Evolutionary Applications |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Wiley
2024
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13689 https://doaj.org/article/ebf769b2bba1426ea2c23d52d06be668 |
id |
ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:ebf769b2bba1426ea2c23d52d06be668 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:ebf769b2bba1426ea2c23d52d06be668 2024-09-15T18:02:34+00:00 A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments Lyne Touchette Julie Godbout Manuel Lamothe Ilga Porth Nathalie Isabel 2024-04-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13689 https://doaj.org/article/ebf769b2bba1426ea2c23d52d06be668 EN eng Wiley https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13689 https://doaj.org/toc/1752-4571 1752-4571 doi:10.1111/eva.13689 https://doaj.org/article/ebf769b2bba1426ea2c23d52d06be668 Evolutionary Applications, Vol 17, Iss 4, Pp n/a-n/a (2024) Betula spp biogeography genetic diversity hybridization ploidy shrub Evolution QH359-425 article 2024 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13689 2024-08-05T17:49:31Z Abstract Arctic and subarctic ecosystems are rapidly transforming due to global warming, emphasizing the need to understand the genetic diversity and adaptive strategies of northern plant species for effective conservation. This study focuses on Betula glandulosa, a native North American tundra shrub known as dwarf birch, which demonstrates an apparent capacity to adapt to changing climate conditions. To address the taxonomic challenges associated with shrub birches and logistical complexities of sampling in the northernmost areas where species' ranges overlap, we adopted a multicriteria approach. Incorporating molecular data, ploidy level assessment and leaf morphology, we aimed to distinguish B. glandulosa individuals from other shrub birch species sampled. Our results revealed three distinct species and their hybrids within the 537 collected samples, suggesting the existence of a shrub birch syngameon, a reproductive network of interconnected species. Additionally, we identified two discrete genetic clusters within the core species, B. glandulosa, that likely correspond to two different glacial lineages. A comparison between the nuclear and chloroplast SNP data emphasizes a long history of gene exchange between different birch species and genetic clusters. Furthermore, our results highlight the significance of incorporating interfertile congeneric species in conservation strategies and underscores the need for a holistic approach to conservation in the context of climate change, considering the complex dynamics of species interactions. While further research will be needed to describe this shrub birches syngameon and its constituents, this study is a first step in recognizing its existence and disseminating awareness among ecologists and conservation practitioners. This biological phenomenon, which offers evolutionary flexibility and resilience beyond what its constituent species can achieve individually, may have significant ecological implications. Article in Journal/Newspaper Climate change Dwarf birch Global warming Subarctic Tundra Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Evolutionary Applications 17 4 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Betula spp biogeography genetic diversity hybridization ploidy shrub Evolution QH359-425 |
spellingShingle |
Betula spp biogeography genetic diversity hybridization ploidy shrub Evolution QH359-425 Lyne Touchette Julie Godbout Manuel Lamothe Ilga Porth Nathalie Isabel A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments |
topic_facet |
Betula spp biogeography genetic diversity hybridization ploidy shrub Evolution QH359-425 |
description |
Abstract Arctic and subarctic ecosystems are rapidly transforming due to global warming, emphasizing the need to understand the genetic diversity and adaptive strategies of northern plant species for effective conservation. This study focuses on Betula glandulosa, a native North American tundra shrub known as dwarf birch, which demonstrates an apparent capacity to adapt to changing climate conditions. To address the taxonomic challenges associated with shrub birches and logistical complexities of sampling in the northernmost areas where species' ranges overlap, we adopted a multicriteria approach. Incorporating molecular data, ploidy level assessment and leaf morphology, we aimed to distinguish B. glandulosa individuals from other shrub birch species sampled. Our results revealed three distinct species and their hybrids within the 537 collected samples, suggesting the existence of a shrub birch syngameon, a reproductive network of interconnected species. Additionally, we identified two discrete genetic clusters within the core species, B. glandulosa, that likely correspond to two different glacial lineages. A comparison between the nuclear and chloroplast SNP data emphasizes a long history of gene exchange between different birch species and genetic clusters. Furthermore, our results highlight the significance of incorporating interfertile congeneric species in conservation strategies and underscores the need for a holistic approach to conservation in the context of climate change, considering the complex dynamics of species interactions. While further research will be needed to describe this shrub birches syngameon and its constituents, this study is a first step in recognizing its existence and disseminating awareness among ecologists and conservation practitioners. This biological phenomenon, which offers evolutionary flexibility and resilience beyond what its constituent species can achieve individually, may have significant ecological implications. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Lyne Touchette Julie Godbout Manuel Lamothe Ilga Porth Nathalie Isabel |
author_facet |
Lyne Touchette Julie Godbout Manuel Lamothe Ilga Porth Nathalie Isabel |
author_sort |
Lyne Touchette |
title |
A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments |
title_short |
A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments |
title_full |
A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments |
title_fullStr |
A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments |
title_full_unstemmed |
A cryptic syngameon within Betula shrubs revealed: Implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments |
title_sort |
cryptic syngameon within betula shrubs revealed: implications for conservation in changing subarctic environments |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13689 https://doaj.org/article/ebf769b2bba1426ea2c23d52d06be668 |
genre |
Climate change Dwarf birch Global warming Subarctic Tundra |
genre_facet |
Climate change Dwarf birch Global warming Subarctic Tundra |
op_source |
Evolutionary Applications, Vol 17, Iss 4, Pp n/a-n/a (2024) |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13689 https://doaj.org/toc/1752-4571 1752-4571 doi:10.1111/eva.13689 https://doaj.org/article/ebf769b2bba1426ea2c23d52d06be668 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13689 |
container_title |
Evolutionary Applications |
container_volume |
17 |
container_issue |
4 |
_version_ |
1810440014022049792 |