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Genetic component of flammability variation in a Mediterranean shrub

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posted on 2023-06-09, 14:51 authored by Bruno Moreira, Maria Clara CastellanosMaria Clara Castellanos, Juli G Pausas
Recurrent fires impose a strong selection pressure in many ecosystems worldwide. In such ecosystems, plant flammability is of paramount importance because it enhances population persistence, particularly in non-resprouting species. Indeed, there is evidence of phenotypic divergence of flammability under different fire regimes. Our general hypothesis is that flammability-enhancing traits are adaptive; here, we test whether they have a genetic component. To test this hypothesis, we used the postfire obligate seeder Ulex parviflorus from sites historically exposed to different fire recurrence. We associated molecular variation in potentially adaptive loci detected with a genomic scan (using AFLP markers) with individual phenotypic variability in flammability across fire regimes. We found that at least 42% of the phenotypic variation in flammability was explained by the genetic divergence in a subset of AFLP loci. In spite of generalized gene flow, the genetic variability was structured by differences in fire recurrence. Our results provide the first field evidence supporting that traits enhancing plant flammability have a genetic component and thus can be responding to natural selection driven by fire. These results highlight the importance of flammability as an adaptive trait in fire-prone ecosystems.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Molecular Ecology

ISSN

0962-1083

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

5

Volume

23

Page range

1213-1223

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-08-30

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-08-30

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-08-29

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