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Divergent evolution and niche differentiation within the common peatmoss sphagnum magellanicum
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Premise of the study Populations with phenotypic polymorphism in discrete characters may be good models for investigating genome evolution and speciation. Sphagnum magellanicum Brid. is found throughout the northern hemisphere, and despite considerable variation in morphological characters, it is considered one of the least taxonomically controversial peatmoss species. We have observed two main morphs of the species associated with different microhabitats. Here we investigated the genomic and environmental basis of this intraspecific morphological variation. Methods We conducted transplant and common garden experiments to test whether the two morphs are genetically differentiated. We then used RAD-sequencing to quantify the genomic divergence between the morphs and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) to infer the most likely demographic scenario explaining the genome-wide differentiation of the two morphs. Key results We found that genomic differentiation between the two morphs is unexpectedly high and that several of the differentiated morphological characters have a genetic basis. Using simulation approaches, we found support for a scenario of ancient divergence followed by recent secondary contact. Conclusions We show that the two morphs represent the two main genetic clusters previously found worldwide. Our results demonstrate that relatively minor morphological differentiation in a presumed phenotypically plastic peatmoss may be associated with massive divergence across the genome.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Genome evolution
Population genetics
Evolution
Plant Science
580 Plants (Botany)
Biology
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
Intraspecific competition
UFSP13-7 Evolution in Action: From Genomes to Ecosystems
1311 Genetics
Genetic drift
Behavior and Systematics
1110 Plant Science
Genetics
10211 Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center
Transplant experiment
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Northern peatlands
Microhabitats
Ecology
Phenotypic polymorphism
Common garden experiment
Niche differentiation
Bryophytes
Ambientale
RAD-sequencing
Genetic divergence
biology.organism_classification
Sphagnum magellanicum
Divergent evolution
10121 Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany
1105 Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Evolutionary biology
010606 plant biology & botany
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....7496eb3f37fbe1602a535d20473c37eb