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Hybridization between Schoenoplectus sedges across Chesapeake Bay marshes

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Abstract

Hybridization is an evolutionary mechanism capable of enhancing adaptive potential, especially among species in fragmented or disturbed ecosystems like coastal marshes. In this study, we evaluated whether hybridization might influence adaptive responses in coastal marshes that are susceptible to the effects of global environmental change. To do so, we examined the extent and nature of hybridization between Schoenoplectus americanus and S. pungens, two ecologically dominant sedges in low-lying marshes across Chesapeake Bay (USA). Observed patterns of variation at genetically based morphological traits, cpDNA and nuclear microsatellite markers confirm that introgressive hybridization occurs between the two species. Comparisons of microsatellite and cpDNA profiles found that hybridization is reciprocal, although a disproportionate number of hybrids exhibit genomic asymmetries favoring S. americanus. AIC model selection consistently identified latitude as the strongest explanatory variable for the distribution of parental species, although discriminant analysis indicated that distributions also correspond to variation in environmental conditions. Discriminant analysis further indicated that ecological correlates of hybrid and S. americanus genotypes are similar, but not uniformly so. These findings indicate that the boundary between S. americanus and S. pungens is porous, and that hybridization could influence responses of one or both species to changing environmental regimes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mark Fox for preparing illustrations for this manuscript. Ashley Kuenzi also provided generous laboratory assistance. We thank members of the Blum laboratory and two anonymous reviewers for helpful editorial advice. This research was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Contract #4D-5709-NAEX) and Tulane University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, 400 Lindy Boggs, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA

    Michael J. Blum, Erin Knapke & Sunny B. Snider

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Galvin, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA

    Jason S. McLachlan

  3. Everglades Division, South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, MSC 4440, West Palm Beach, FL, 33406, USA

    Colin J. Saunders

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  1. Michael J. Blum
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Correspondence to Michael J. Blum.

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Blum, M.J., Knapke, E., McLachlan, J.S. et al. Hybridization between Schoenoplectus sedges across Chesapeake Bay marshes. Conserv Genet 11, 1885–1898 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-010-0080-1

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