The co-occurrence of hybrids and parental species in similar ecological niches poses a question o... more The co-occurrence of hybrids and parental species in similar ecological niches poses a question on the role of traits additivity and overdispersion (emergence of new traits) in microevolutionary processes. We analysed genetic polymorphism of Bromus benekenii, B. ramosus and the spontaneous hybrid B. benekenii × B. ramosus in sympatric and allopatric parts of the species distribution in Europe, based on non-coding regions of the taxon genomes (ISSR genetic fingerprinting). We tested 68 individuals in 7 populations, including a hybrid population in N France. Altogether 233 polymorphic ISSR bands (loci) were obtained. We found that the parent species were genetically distinct and the hybrids had an additive pattern of ISSR bands found in the putative parental species (NMDS, STRUCTURE); however, there was evidence of introgression towards B. ramosus (NEWHYBRIDS, UPGMA classifications, Nei's D genetic distance). Bromus benekenii had 72, B. ramosus 21 and the hybrids 9 private bands (genetic overdispersion), probably resulting from the rearranged genomes. Based on its low genetic divergence index DW, the hybrid population seems to be at a young age. We argue that in the face of anthropogenic landscape transformations favouring secondary contacts, the hybrids may competitively replace the parental species in sympatric areas.
Prior to the present study there was limited knowledge about the genetic basis of plant colonizat... more Prior to the present study there was limited knowledge about the genetic basis of plant colonization on the 50-year-old island of Surtsey, South Iceland. The aim here was to compare genetic structure of two contrasting species, Festuca rubra (arctic fescue) and Empetrum nigrum (crowberry), which have colonized Surtsey since 1973 and 1993, respectively. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Two census periods were compared: 1996-1997 and 2005-2006. Using six ISSR primers, we obtained 103 and 139 discernible DNA fragments from F. rubra and E. nigrum respectively. Although the two species displayed similarly high genetic diversity indices (h = 0.238 and 0.235; I = 0.384 and 0.380, respectively), they differed significantly in their genetic profiles. Festuca was genetically structured at the subpopulation level (F ST = 0.034, p = 0.007), whereas Empetrum showed a lack of genetic differentiation. A Bayesian STRUCTURE computation further revealed temporal and spatial genetic structure of the species. The early arrival grass F. rubra has expanded from a local genepool. The population was however initially established from different sources, forming a genetic melting pot on Surtsey. On the other hand, the late arrival shrub E. nigrum probably derived from a common source of immigrants.
Brachypodium pinnatum belongs to native grasses which could dramatically decrease the biodiversit... more Brachypodium pinnatum belongs to native grasses which could dramatically decrease the biodiversity of calcareous grasslands, therefore, an examination of the mechanisms of its expansion is of prime importance for their conservation. We studied the genetic structure of 12 subpopulations of the expansive grass B. pinnatum in a heterogeneous landscape with AFLP markers, aiming at determination whether spatial isolation influences the genetic diversity and the population genetic structure of this species. A high level of overall (79%) and within population polymorphic loci (38-44%) were found and 220 different genotypes were distinguished among the 252 samples analysed. No significant population structure nor isolation-by-distance were found, despite their long-time fragmentation history. This confirms that isolation of calcareous grasslands in a landscape cannot prevent the expansion of B. pinnatum grasses because of the high generative dispersal ability. Subsequent quick and extensive...
The prediction of species response to human activity is of great interest in contemporary restora... more The prediction of species response to human activity is of great interest in contemporary restoration ecology. The purpose of the article was to analyse which species life history traits and species habitat preferences are important during succession after the abandonment of mining activity in a sand-pit. During a 15-year period (1996-2010), 176 phytosociological releves were placed within vegetation patches of different ages and divided according to soil moisture, thus forming two series of chronosequences that ranged from 0 to ca. 50 years. The datasets were analysed using both DCA/CCA ordinations and regression trees. The successional gradient, apart from the theoretically predicted replacement R by C strategists, revealed the occurrence of stress-tolerant ruderals and competitive ruderals in the early successional stages. However, differences were observed between the wet and dry series. On dry soils the ruderals, anemochorous and wind-pollinated species dominated in the early p...
Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 2012
ABSTRACT Perennial grasses constitute a major group of species showing a dramatic decline of biod... more ABSTRACT Perennial grasses constitute a major group of species showing a dramatic decline of biodiversity in successional plant communities. Using AFLP markers, we examined 12 populations of the expansive grass Brachypodium pinnatum differing in habitat age (30-50, ca. 100 and >300 years old) in order to determine whether clonal diversity of populations, genetic variation, and the relative importance of clonal propagation versus sexual reproduction change with grassland age. Five AFLP primer combinations gave a total of 517 bands, 79% of which were polymorphic. 314 different multilocus lineages were distinguished among the 453 samples analyzed. The number of genotypes (G) and clonal richness (R) decreased with habitat age, while the distribution of the frequency of genets changed from many clones of similar size to dominance by one or a few large clones. We consider these results to give evidence of significant role of sexual reproduction in the early phases of colonization and prevalence of clonal growth and competitive exclusion of less adapted genotypes in the later ones. However, habitat age had only marginal effect on genetic diversity, as percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) within all the populations analyzed was similar, viz. 38.6-43.5%. (C) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT In this study we analyzed gaps originated in different seasons of the year vs. places of... more ABSTRACT In this study we analyzed gaps originated in different seasons of the year vs. places of close vegetation in calcareous grasslands in terms of their suitability for seedling germination and establishment. Gaps, irrespective of the time of their origin, significantly promoted seedling emergence as compared with close swards. However, the season of gap creation influenced the rate of seedling germination/emergence. Seedlings occurred more frequently in autumn and spring gaps than in the summer ones. The highest mean number of seedlings and of their species were noted in autumn openings. However, the subsequent survival of seedlings in autumn gaps was low. On the contrary, in spring gaps juveniles occurred with the significantly highest mean number, frequency and species richness. The above results pointed to the positive, although very limited role of artificially created gaps as places favouring seedlings establishment.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza and fungal root endophytes of three weeds, Galium tricornutum, Lycopsis ori... more Arbuscular mycorrhiza and fungal root endophytes of three weeds, Galium tricornutum, Lycopsis orientalis and Scandix pecten-veneris, were studied in an altitudinal gradient of the Pamir Alai Mountains. Colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was found in all species. Only in the case of G. tricornutum was there a rise in mycorrhizal parameters values found for the medium altitude range. Similar tendencies were observed in the case of the AMF colonisation potential assessment. This suggests that plant species' identity, dependency on symbiosis and interactions with soil properties determine root colonisation and the abundance of AMF in soils at the elevations in question. Four AMF species, Claroideoglomus claroideum, Funneliformis mosseae, Scutellospora dipurpurescens and Septoglomus constrictum, were isolated from trap cultures established on soil taken from under the weeds. Dark septate endophytes (DSE) accompanied the AMF in the roots of G. tricornutum and S. pecten...
The co-occurrence of hybrids and parental species in similar ecological niches poses a question o... more The co-occurrence of hybrids and parental species in similar ecological niches poses a question on the role of traits additivity and overdispersion (emergence of new traits) in microevolutionary processes. We analysed genetic polymorphism of Bromus benekenii, B. ramosus and the spontaneous hybrid B. benekenii × B. ramosus in sympatric and allopatric parts of the species distribution in Europe, based on non-coding regions of the taxon genomes (ISSR genetic fingerprinting). We tested 68 individuals in 7 populations, including a hybrid population in N France. Altogether 233 polymorphic ISSR bands (loci) were obtained. We found that the parent species were genetically distinct and the hybrids had an additive pattern of ISSR bands found in the putative parental species (NMDS, STRUCTURE); however, there was evidence of introgression towards B. ramosus (NEWHYBRIDS, UPGMA classifications, Nei's D genetic distance). Bromus benekenii had 72, B. ramosus 21 and the hybrids 9 private bands (genetic overdispersion), probably resulting from the rearranged genomes. Based on its low genetic divergence index DW, the hybrid population seems to be at a young age. We argue that in the face of anthropogenic landscape transformations favouring secondary contacts, the hybrids may competitively replace the parental species in sympatric areas.
Prior to the present study there was limited knowledge about the genetic basis of plant colonizat... more Prior to the present study there was limited knowledge about the genetic basis of plant colonization on the 50-year-old island of Surtsey, South Iceland. The aim here was to compare genetic structure of two contrasting species, Festuca rubra (arctic fescue) and Empetrum nigrum (crowberry), which have colonized Surtsey since 1973 and 1993, respectively. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to assess genetic diversity and population structure. Two census periods were compared: 1996-1997 and 2005-2006. Using six ISSR primers, we obtained 103 and 139 discernible DNA fragments from F. rubra and E. nigrum respectively. Although the two species displayed similarly high genetic diversity indices (h = 0.238 and 0.235; I = 0.384 and 0.380, respectively), they differed significantly in their genetic profiles. Festuca was genetically structured at the subpopulation level (F ST = 0.034, p = 0.007), whereas Empetrum showed a lack of genetic differentiation. A Bayesian STRUCTURE computation further revealed temporal and spatial genetic structure of the species. The early arrival grass F. rubra has expanded from a local genepool. The population was however initially established from different sources, forming a genetic melting pot on Surtsey. On the other hand, the late arrival shrub E. nigrum probably derived from a common source of immigrants.
Brachypodium pinnatum belongs to native grasses which could dramatically decrease the biodiversit... more Brachypodium pinnatum belongs to native grasses which could dramatically decrease the biodiversity of calcareous grasslands, therefore, an examination of the mechanisms of its expansion is of prime importance for their conservation. We studied the genetic structure of 12 subpopulations of the expansive grass B. pinnatum in a heterogeneous landscape with AFLP markers, aiming at determination whether spatial isolation influences the genetic diversity and the population genetic structure of this species. A high level of overall (79%) and within population polymorphic loci (38-44%) were found and 220 different genotypes were distinguished among the 252 samples analysed. No significant population structure nor isolation-by-distance were found, despite their long-time fragmentation history. This confirms that isolation of calcareous grasslands in a landscape cannot prevent the expansion of B. pinnatum grasses because of the high generative dispersal ability. Subsequent quick and extensive...
The prediction of species response to human activity is of great interest in contemporary restora... more The prediction of species response to human activity is of great interest in contemporary restoration ecology. The purpose of the article was to analyse which species life history traits and species habitat preferences are important during succession after the abandonment of mining activity in a sand-pit. During a 15-year period (1996-2010), 176 phytosociological releves were placed within vegetation patches of different ages and divided according to soil moisture, thus forming two series of chronosequences that ranged from 0 to ca. 50 years. The datasets were analysed using both DCA/CCA ordinations and regression trees. The successional gradient, apart from the theoretically predicted replacement R by C strategists, revealed the occurrence of stress-tolerant ruderals and competitive ruderals in the early successional stages. However, differences were observed between the wet and dry series. On dry soils the ruderals, anemochorous and wind-pollinated species dominated in the early p...
Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 2012
ABSTRACT Perennial grasses constitute a major group of species showing a dramatic decline of biod... more ABSTRACT Perennial grasses constitute a major group of species showing a dramatic decline of biodiversity in successional plant communities. Using AFLP markers, we examined 12 populations of the expansive grass Brachypodium pinnatum differing in habitat age (30-50, ca. 100 and >300 years old) in order to determine whether clonal diversity of populations, genetic variation, and the relative importance of clonal propagation versus sexual reproduction change with grassland age. Five AFLP primer combinations gave a total of 517 bands, 79% of which were polymorphic. 314 different multilocus lineages were distinguished among the 453 samples analyzed. The number of genotypes (G) and clonal richness (R) decreased with habitat age, while the distribution of the frequency of genets changed from many clones of similar size to dominance by one or a few large clones. We consider these results to give evidence of significant role of sexual reproduction in the early phases of colonization and prevalence of clonal growth and competitive exclusion of less adapted genotypes in the later ones. However, habitat age had only marginal effect on genetic diversity, as percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) within all the populations analyzed was similar, viz. 38.6-43.5%. (C) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT In this study we analyzed gaps originated in different seasons of the year vs. places of... more ABSTRACT In this study we analyzed gaps originated in different seasons of the year vs. places of close vegetation in calcareous grasslands in terms of their suitability for seedling germination and establishment. Gaps, irrespective of the time of their origin, significantly promoted seedling emergence as compared with close swards. However, the season of gap creation influenced the rate of seedling germination/emergence. Seedlings occurred more frequently in autumn and spring gaps than in the summer ones. The highest mean number of seedlings and of their species were noted in autumn openings. However, the subsequent survival of seedlings in autumn gaps was low. On the contrary, in spring gaps juveniles occurred with the significantly highest mean number, frequency and species richness. The above results pointed to the positive, although very limited role of artificially created gaps as places favouring seedlings establishment.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza and fungal root endophytes of three weeds, Galium tricornutum, Lycopsis ori... more Arbuscular mycorrhiza and fungal root endophytes of three weeds, Galium tricornutum, Lycopsis orientalis and Scandix pecten-veneris, were studied in an altitudinal gradient of the Pamir Alai Mountains. Colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was found in all species. Only in the case of G. tricornutum was there a rise in mycorrhizal parameters values found for the medium altitude range. Similar tendencies were observed in the case of the AMF colonisation potential assessment. This suggests that plant species' identity, dependency on symbiosis and interactions with soil properties determine root colonisation and the abundance of AMF in soils at the elevations in question. Four AMF species, Claroideoglomus claroideum, Funneliformis mosseae, Scutellospora dipurpurescens and Septoglomus constrictum, were isolated from trap cultures established on soil taken from under the weeds. Dark septate endophytes (DSE) accompanied the AMF in the roots of G. tricornutum and S. pecten...
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