10.5061/DRYAD.DN53J
Gramlich, Susanne
University of Göttingen
Sagmeister, Patrick
University of Vienna
Dullinger, Stefan
University of Vienna
Hadacek, Franz
University of Göttingen
Hörandl, Elvira
University of Göttingen
Data from: Evolution in situ: hybrid origin and establishment of willows
(Salix L.) on alpine glacier forefields
Dryad
dataset
2016
hybrid fertility
Salix purpurea
population genetic structure
Salix helvetica
2016-01-29T14:06:37Z
2016-01-29T14:06:37Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.2016.14
41930 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Little attention has been paid to the evolutionary consequences of the
colonizing dynamics and succession processes following glacier retreat.
Here we studied hybrid populations that have recently formed and
established on glacier forefields of the European Alps owing to secondary
contact of a lowland colonizer with a subalpine species. We analyzed the
composition of two hybrid populations between Salix purpurea and Salix
helvetica with nine microsatellite markers by using Bayesian methods
(structure and NewHybrids), and simulations. We also studied niche
differentiation between the hybrids and the parental species based on
indicator values, soil pH and water retention potential measurements.
Allelic structure of hybrids confirms the assumed parentage and in situ
origin of the crosses on two independent sites within the last decades.
Both hybrid populations comprised F1 and later generation hybrids (F2 and
backcrosses), confirming hybrid fertility. The parental species showed
significant differences in niche characteristics for temperature, soil pH,
nutrients and moisture. Remarkably, the hybrids exhibited a higher
tolerance to cold temperatures, nutrient-poor and acidic soils than either
parent. Our results show that willow hybrids originated after glacier
retreat and have established persistent populations within a few decades.
One factor contributing to hybrid establishment in sympatry with their
parents is their ability to occupy more extreme niches than either
parental species within a mosaic-like pattern of microhabitats on the
forefield. Introgression and/or transgressive segregation may have
resulted in novel genotypes that are able to expand the ecological
spectrum of either parent.
Microsatellite data SalixThis file contains the microsatellite data of the
Salix populations which were sampled at four locations. Please note that
each location is on a separate sheet. The genotypes are arranged in
GenAlEx format.
European Alps