Low dispersal and ploidy differences in a grass maintain photosynthetic diversity despite gene flow and habitat overlap

© 2021 The Authors. Molecular Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd..

Geographical isolation facilitates the emergence of distinct phenotypes within a single species, but reproductive barriers or selection are needed to maintain the polymorphism after secondary contact. Here, we explore the processes that maintain intraspecific variation of C4 photosynthesis, a complex trait that results from the combined action of multiple genes. The grass Alloteropsis semialata includes C4 and non-C4 populations, which have coexisted as a polyploid series for more than 1 million years in the miombo woodlands of Africa. Using population genomics, we show that there is genome-wide divergence for the photosynthetic types, but the current geographical distribution does not reflect a simple habitat displacement scenario as the genetic clusters overlap, being occasionally mixed within a given habitat. Despite evidence of recurrent introgression between non-C4 and C4 groups, in both diploids and polyploids, the distinct genetic lineages retain their identity, potentially because of selection against hybrids. Coupled with strong isolation by distance within each genetic group, this selection created a geographical mosaic of photosynthetic types. Diploid C4 and non-C4 types never grew together, and the C4 type from mixed populations constantly belonged to the hexaploid lineage. By limiting reproductive interactions between photosynthetic types, the ploidy difference probably allows their co-occurrence, reinforcing the functional diversity within this species. Together, these factors enabled the persistence of divergent physiological traits of ecological importance within a single species despite gene flow and habitat overlap.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:30

Enthalten in:

Molecular ecology - 30(2021), 9 vom: 02. Mai, Seite 2116-2130

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Olofsson, Jill K [VerfasserIn]
Curran, Emma V [VerfasserIn]
Nyirenda, Florence [VerfasserIn]
Bianconi, Matheus E [VerfasserIn]
Dunning, Luke T [VerfasserIn]
Milenkovic, Vanja [VerfasserIn]
Sotelo, Graciela [VerfasserIn]
Hidalgo, Oriane [VerfasserIn]
Powell, Robyn F [VerfasserIn]
Lundgren, Marjorie R [VerfasserIn]
Leitch, Ilia J [VerfasserIn]
Nosil, Patrik [VerfasserIn]
Osborne, Colin P [VerfasserIn]
Christin, Pascal-Antoine [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

C4 photosynthesis
Hybridization
Introgression
Journal Article
Population genomics
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Secondary contact
Selection

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 21.06.2021

Date Revised 21.06.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1111/mec.15871

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM322394716