Are 150 km of open sea enough? Gene flow and population differentiation in a bat-pollinated columnar cactus.

Genetic differentiations and phylogeographical patterns are controlled by the interplay between spatial isolation and gene flow. To assess the extent of gene flow across an oceanic barrier, we explored the effect of the separation of the peninsula of Baja California on the evolution of mainland and...

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Main Authors: Sebastián Arenas, Alberto Búrquez, Enriquena Bustamante, Enrique Scheinvar, Luis E Eguiarte
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282932
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author Sebastián Arenas
Alberto Búrquez
Enriquena Bustamante
Enrique Scheinvar
Luis E Eguiarte
author_facet Sebastián Arenas
Alberto Búrquez
Enriquena Bustamante
Enrique Scheinvar
Luis E Eguiarte
author_sort Sebastián Arenas
collection DOAJ
description Genetic differentiations and phylogeographical patterns are controlled by the interplay between spatial isolation and gene flow. To assess the extent of gene flow across an oceanic barrier, we explored the effect of the separation of the peninsula of Baja California on the evolution of mainland and peninsular populations of the long-lived columnar cactus Stenocereus thurberi. We analyzed twelve populations throughout the OPC distribution range to assess genetic diversity and structure using chloroplast DNA sequences. Genetic diversity was higher (Hd = 0.81), and genetic structure was lower (GST = 0.143) in mainland populations vs peninsular populations (Hd = 0.71, GST = 0.358 respectively). Genetic diversity was negatively associated with elevation but positively with rainfall. Two mainland and one peninsular ancestral haplotypes were reconstructed. Peninsular populations were as isolated among them as with mainland populations. Peninsular haplotypes formed a group with one mainland coastal population, and populations across the gulf shared common haplotypes giving support to regular gene flow across the Gulf. Gene flow is likely mediated by bats, the main pollinators and seed dispersers. Niche modeling suggests that during the Last Glacial Maximum (c. 130 ka), OPC populations shrank to southern locations. Currently, Stenocereus thurberi populations are expanding, and the species is under population divergence despite ongoing gene flow. Ancestral populations are located on the mainland and although vicariant peninsular populations cannot be ruled out, they are likely the result of gene flow across the seemingly formidable barrier of the Gulf of California. Still, unique haplotypes occur in the peninsula and the mainland, and peninsular populations are more structured than those on the mainland.
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spelling doaj.art-b6d71c36c6bc4902a9e36e10e63c7f0a2023-09-04T05:32:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01186e028293210.1371/journal.pone.0282932Are 150 km of open sea enough? Gene flow and population differentiation in a bat-pollinated columnar cactus.Sebastián ArenasAlberto BúrquezEnriquena BustamanteEnrique ScheinvarLuis E EguiarteGenetic differentiations and phylogeographical patterns are controlled by the interplay between spatial isolation and gene flow. To assess the extent of gene flow across an oceanic barrier, we explored the effect of the separation of the peninsula of Baja California on the evolution of mainland and peninsular populations of the long-lived columnar cactus Stenocereus thurberi. We analyzed twelve populations throughout the OPC distribution range to assess genetic diversity and structure using chloroplast DNA sequences. Genetic diversity was higher (Hd = 0.81), and genetic structure was lower (GST = 0.143) in mainland populations vs peninsular populations (Hd = 0.71, GST = 0.358 respectively). Genetic diversity was negatively associated with elevation but positively with rainfall. Two mainland and one peninsular ancestral haplotypes were reconstructed. Peninsular populations were as isolated among them as with mainland populations. Peninsular haplotypes formed a group with one mainland coastal population, and populations across the gulf shared common haplotypes giving support to regular gene flow across the Gulf. Gene flow is likely mediated by bats, the main pollinators and seed dispersers. Niche modeling suggests that during the Last Glacial Maximum (c. 130 ka), OPC populations shrank to southern locations. Currently, Stenocereus thurberi populations are expanding, and the species is under population divergence despite ongoing gene flow. Ancestral populations are located on the mainland and although vicariant peninsular populations cannot be ruled out, they are likely the result of gene flow across the seemingly formidable barrier of the Gulf of California. Still, unique haplotypes occur in the peninsula and the mainland, and peninsular populations are more structured than those on the mainland.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282932
spellingShingle Sebastián Arenas
Alberto Búrquez
Enriquena Bustamante
Enrique Scheinvar
Luis E Eguiarte
Are 150 km of open sea enough? Gene flow and population differentiation in a bat-pollinated columnar cactus.
PLoS ONE
title Are 150 km of open sea enough? Gene flow and population differentiation in a bat-pollinated columnar cactus.
title_full Are 150 km of open sea enough? Gene flow and population differentiation in a bat-pollinated columnar cactus.
title_fullStr Are 150 km of open sea enough? Gene flow and population differentiation in a bat-pollinated columnar cactus.
title_full_unstemmed Are 150 km of open sea enough? Gene flow and population differentiation in a bat-pollinated columnar cactus.
title_short Are 150 km of open sea enough? Gene flow and population differentiation in a bat-pollinated columnar cactus.
title_sort are 150 km of open sea enough gene flow and population differentiation in a bat pollinated columnar cactus
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282932
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