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Turtureanu PD, Pușcaș M, Podar D, Balázs ZR, Hurdu BI, Novikov A, Renaud J, Saillard A, Bec S, Șuteu D, Băcilă I, Choler P. Extent of intraspecific trait variability in ecologically central and marginal populations of a dominant alpine plant across European mountains. Ann Bot 2023; 132:335-347. [PMID: 37478315 PMCID: PMC10583199 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studying trait variability and restricted gene flow between populations of species can reveal species dynamics. Peripheral populations commonly exhibit lower genetic diversity and trait variability due to isolation and ecological marginality, unlike central populations experiencing gene flow and optimal conditions. This study focused on Carex curvula, the dominant species in alpine acidic meadows of European mountain regions. The species is sparser in dry areas such as the Pyrenees and Balkans, compared to the Central-Eastern Alps and Carpathians. We hypothesized that distinct population groups could be identified based on their mean functional trait values and their correlation with the environment; we predicted that ecologically marginal populations would have stronger trait correlations, lower within-population trait variability (intraspecific trait variability, ITV) and lower genetic diversity than populations of optimal habitats. METHODS Sampling was conducted in 34 populations that spanned the entire distribution range of C. curvula. We used hierarchical clustering to identify emergent functional groups of populations, defined by combinations of multiple traits associated with nutrient economy and drought tolerance (e.g. specific leaf area, anatomy). We contrasted the geographical distribution of these groups in relation to environment and genetic structure. We compared pairwise trait relationships, within-population trait variation (ITV) and neutral genetic diversity between groups. KEY RESULTS Our study identified emergent functional groups of populations. Those in the southernmost ranges, specifically the Pyrenees and Balkan region, showed drought-tolerant trait syndromes and correlated with indicators of limited water availability. While we noted a decline in population genetic diversity, we did not observe any significant changes in ITV in ecologically marginal (peripheral) populations. CONCLUSIONS Our research exemplifies the relationship between ecological marginality and geographical peripherality, which in this case study is linked to genetic depauperation but not to reduced ITV. Understanding these relationships is crucial for understanding the biogeographical factors shaping trait variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Dan Turtureanu
- A. Borza Botanic Garden, Babeș-Bolyai University, 42 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Emil G. Racoviță Institute, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihai Pușcaș
- A. Borza Botanic Garden, Babeș-Bolyai University, 42 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Emil G. Racoviță Institute, Babeș-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dorina Podar
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zoltán Robert Balázs
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources (3B), Babeș-Bolyai University, 3-5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii Street, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Doctoral School of Integrative Biology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 1 Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Iuliu Hurdu
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andriy Novikov
- Department of Biosystematics and Evolution, State Museum of Natural History of the NAS of Ukraine, 18 Teatralna Street, 79008 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Julien Renaud
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Amélie Saillard
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Stéphane Bec
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Dana Șuteu
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Băcilă
- Institute of Biological Research, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 48 Republicii Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Philippe Choler
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000 Grenoble, France
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Șuteu D, Băcilă I, Haș V, Haș I, Miclăuș M. Romanian maize (Zea mays) inbred lines as a source of genetic diversity in SE Europe, and their potential in future breeding efforts. PLoS One 2014; 8:e85501. [PMID: 24392016 PMCID: PMC3877385 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Maize has always been under constant human selection ever since it had been domesticated. Intensive breeding programs that resulted in the massive use of hybrids nowadays have started in the 60s. That brought significant yield increases but reduced the genetic diversity at the same time. Consequently, breeders and researchers alike turned their attention to national germplasm collections established decades ago in many countries, as they may hold allelic variations that could prove useful for future improvements. These collections are mainly composed of inbred lines originating from well-adapted local open pollinated varieties. However, there is an overall lack of data in the literature about the genetic diversity of maize in SE Europe, and its potential for future breeding efforts. There are no data, whatsoever, on the nutritional quality of the grain, primarily dictated by the zein proteins. We therefore sought to use the Romanian maize germplasm as an entry point in understanding the molecular make-up of maize in this part of Europe. By using 80 SSR markers, evenly spread throughout the genome, on 82 inbred lines from various parts of the country, we were able to decipher population structure and the existing relationships between those and the eight international standards used, including the reference sequenced genome B73. Corroborating molecular data with a standardized morphological, physiological, and biochemical characterization of all 90 inbred lines, this is the first comprehensive such study on the existing SE European maize germplasm. The inbred lines we present here are an important addition to the ever-shrinking gene pool that the breeding programs are faced-with, because of the allelic richness they hold. They may serve as parental lines in crosses that will lead to new hybrids, characterized by a high level of heterosis, nationwide and beyond, due to their existing relationship with the international germplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Șuteu
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Băcilă
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Voichița Haș
- Agricultural Research and Development Station, Turda, Romania
| | - Ioan Haș
- Agricultural Research and Development Station, Turda, Romania
- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihai Miclăuș
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- * E-mail:
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