Tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flow
Abstract A lack of optimal gene combinations, as well as low levels of genetic diversity, is often associated with the formation of species range margins. Conservation efforts rely on predictive modelling using abiotic variables and assessments of genetic diversity to determine target species and po...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Evolutionary Applications |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12795 |
| _version_ | 1818854179889741824 |
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| author | Mitra Menon Erin Landguth Alejandro Leal‐Saenz Justin C. Bagley Anna W. Schoettle Christian Wehenkel Lluvia Flores‐Renteria Samuel A. Cushman Kristen M. Waring Andrew J. Eckert |
| author_facet | Mitra Menon Erin Landguth Alejandro Leal‐Saenz Justin C. Bagley Anna W. Schoettle Christian Wehenkel Lluvia Flores‐Renteria Samuel A. Cushman Kristen M. Waring Andrew J. Eckert |
| author_sort | Mitra Menon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract A lack of optimal gene combinations, as well as low levels of genetic diversity, is often associated with the formation of species range margins. Conservation efforts rely on predictive modelling using abiotic variables and assessments of genetic diversity to determine target species and populations for controlled breeding, germplasm conservation and assisted migration. Biotic factors such as interspecific competition and hybridization, however, are largely ignored, despite their prevalence across diverse taxa and their role as key evolutionary forces. Hybridization between species with well‐developed barriers to reproductive isolation often results in the production of offspring with lower fitness. Generation of novel allelic combinations through hybridization, however, can also generate positive fitness consequences. Despite this possibility, hybridization‐mediated introgression is often considered a threat to biodiversity as it can blur species boundaries. The contribution of hybridization towards increasing genetic diversity of populations at range margins has only recently gathered attention in conservation studies. We assessed the extent to which hybridization contributes towards range dynamics by tracking spatio‐temporal changes in the central location of a hybrid zone between two recently diverged species of pines: Pinus strobiformis and P. flexilis. By comparing geographic cline centre estimates for global admixture coefficient with morphological traits associated with reproductive output, we demonstrate a northward shift in the hybrid zone. Using a combination of spatially explicit, individual‐based simulations and linkage disequilibrium variance partitioning, we note a significant contribution of adaptive introgression towards this northward movement, despite the potential for differences in regional population size to aid hybrid zone movement. Overall, our study demonstrates that hybridization between recently diverged species can increase genetic diversity and generate novel allelic combinations. These novel combinations may allow range margin populations to track favourable climatic conditions or facilitate adaptive evolution to ongoing and future climate change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T07:48:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-470d11913e7f4c25ba3664ddc748217c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-4571 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T07:48:36Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Evolutionary Applications |
| spelling | doaj.art-470d11913e7f4c25ba3664ddc748217c2022-12-21T20:30:14ZengWileyEvolutionary Applications1752-45712020-01-0113119520910.1111/eva.12795Tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flowMitra Menon0Erin Landguth1Alejandro Leal‐Saenz2Justin C. Bagley3Anna W. Schoettle4Christian Wehenkel5Lluvia Flores‐Renteria6Samuel A. Cushman7Kristen M. Waring8Andrew J. Eckert9Integrative Life Sciences Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond VirginiaSchool of Public and Community Health Sciences University of Montana Missoula MontanaPrograma Institucional de Doctorado en Ciencias Agropecuarias y Forestales Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango Durango MexicoDepartment of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond VirginiaRocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service Fort Collins ColoradoInstituto de Silvicultura e Industria de la Madera Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango Durango MexicoDepartment of Biology San Diego State University San Diego CaliforniaRocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service Flagstaff ArizonaSchool of Forestry Northern Arizona University Flagstaff ArizonaDepartment of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond VirginiaAbstract A lack of optimal gene combinations, as well as low levels of genetic diversity, is often associated with the formation of species range margins. Conservation efforts rely on predictive modelling using abiotic variables and assessments of genetic diversity to determine target species and populations for controlled breeding, germplasm conservation and assisted migration. Biotic factors such as interspecific competition and hybridization, however, are largely ignored, despite their prevalence across diverse taxa and their role as key evolutionary forces. Hybridization between species with well‐developed barriers to reproductive isolation often results in the production of offspring with lower fitness. Generation of novel allelic combinations through hybridization, however, can also generate positive fitness consequences. Despite this possibility, hybridization‐mediated introgression is often considered a threat to biodiversity as it can blur species boundaries. The contribution of hybridization towards increasing genetic diversity of populations at range margins has only recently gathered attention in conservation studies. We assessed the extent to which hybridization contributes towards range dynamics by tracking spatio‐temporal changes in the central location of a hybrid zone between two recently diverged species of pines: Pinus strobiformis and P. flexilis. By comparing geographic cline centre estimates for global admixture coefficient with morphological traits associated with reproductive output, we demonstrate a northward shift in the hybrid zone. Using a combination of spatially explicit, individual‐based simulations and linkage disequilibrium variance partitioning, we note a significant contribution of adaptive introgression towards this northward movement, despite the potential for differences in regional population size to aid hybrid zone movement. Overall, our study demonstrates that hybridization between recently diverged species can increase genetic diversity and generate novel allelic combinations. These novel combinations may allow range margin populations to track favourable climatic conditions or facilitate adaptive evolution to ongoing and future climate change.https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12795CDMetaPOPcline analysisconifersforest managementhybrid zone movementhybrid zones |
| spellingShingle | Mitra Menon Erin Landguth Alejandro Leal‐Saenz Justin C. Bagley Anna W. Schoettle Christian Wehenkel Lluvia Flores‐Renteria Samuel A. Cushman Kristen M. Waring Andrew J. Eckert Tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flow Evolutionary Applications CDMetaPOP cline analysis conifers forest management hybrid zone movement hybrid zones |
| title | Tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flow |
| title_full | Tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flow |
| title_fullStr | Tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flow |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flow |
| title_short | Tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flow |
| title_sort | tracing the footprints of a moving hybrid zone under a demographic history of speciation with gene flow |
| topic | CDMetaPOP cline analysis conifers forest management hybrid zone movement hybrid zones |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12795 |
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