Ecological differentiation and reproductive isolation of two closely related sympatric species of Oenanthe (Apiaceae)
Oenanthe conioides is a lower Elbe endemic plant species growing in the freshwater tidal zone around Hamburg (Germany). Its closest relative Oenanthe aquatica is widely distributed in Eurasia and grows in calm and shallow freshwater. The two species differ in habitat requirements but are otherwise s...
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Published in | Biological journal of the Linnean Society Vol. 101; no. 3; pp. 526 - 535 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford, UK
Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.11.2010
Blackwell Publishing Ltd Wiley-Blackwell |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Oenanthe conioides is a lower Elbe endemic plant species growing in the freshwater tidal zone around Hamburg (Germany). Its closest relative Oenanthe aquatica is widely distributed in Eurasia and grows in calm and shallow freshwater. The two species differ in habitat requirements but are otherwise sympatrically distributed, suggesting that ecological divergence has to be maintained in the face of gene flow. In the present study, we investigated ecological differentiation and reproductive isolation in these two species. An amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis found clear genetic differentiation between the two species implying reproductive isolation. A reciprocal transplantation experiment including artificial F₁ hybrids showed strong selection against immigrants. In the two parental habitats, the non-native species are less fit than the native species. Hybrids are less fit in the habitat of Oe. aquatica but perform as well as the native species in the habitat of Oe. conioides. We hypothesize that selection against immigrants is the most important component of reproductive isolation between the two species, and that selection against immigrants is the result of exposure to cold and wind in the tidal habitat of Oe. conioides and to herbivory in the habitat of Oe. aquatica. These results are congruent with a role for differential ecological selection in the formation and maintenance of these two species. |
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Bibliography: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01487.x ark:/67375/WNG-J1PPHBNS-Q istex:DBBD9A691BAA36CFFC1717A3DFEA569B364C6588 ArticleID:BIJ1487 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0024-4066 1095-8312 |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01487.x |