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Intraspecific competitive interactions rapidly evolve via spontaneous mutations

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Abstract

Using a mechanistic spatially explicit trait-based neighborhood-model, we quantify the impact of mutations on intraspecific spatial interactions to better understand mechanisms underlying the maintenance of genetic variation and the potential effects of these evolved interactions on the population dynamics of Arabidopsis thaliana. We use 100 twenty-fifth generation mutation accumulation (MA) lines (genotypes) derived from one founder genotype to study mutational effects on neighbor responses in a field experiment. We created individual-based maps (15,000 individuals), including phenotypic variation, to quantify mutational effects within genotypes versus between genotypes on reproduction and survival. At small-scale (within 80 cm of the focal plant), survival is enhanced but seed-set is decreased when a genotype is surrounded by different genotypes. At large-scale (within 200 cm of the focal plant), seed set is facilitated by different genotypes while the same genotype has either no effect or negative effects. The direction of the interactions among MA lines suggests that at small scale these interactions may contribute to the maintenance of genetic variation and at large scale contribute to the survival of the population. This may suggest, that, mutations potentially have immediate effects on population and community dynamics by influencing the outcome of competitive and faciliatory interactions among conspecifics.

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Funding

C. Fenster’s and T. Rutter's work on mutations has been supported by NSF.

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  1. Henning Nottebrock

    Present address: University of Montpellier, ISEM (Institut des Sciences de l′Evolution - Montpellier), Montpellier, France

  2. Mao-Lun Weng

    Present address: Department of Biology, Westfield State University, Westfield, MA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA

    Henning Nottebrock & Mao-Lun Weng

  2. Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, USA

    Matthew T. Rutter

  3. Oak Lake Field Station, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA

    Charles B. Fenster

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  1. Henning Nottebrock
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HN, CBF and MTR conceived the idea; CBF and MTR designed the experiment and collected the data. HN developed the study idea and model design, analyzed the data and interpreted the results. HN led the writing and drafted a first version of the article. All critically contributed to the drafts and results interpretation and gave final approval for publication.

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Correspondence to Henning Nottebrock.

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Nottebrock, H., Weng, ML., Rutter, M.T. et al. Intraspecific competitive interactions rapidly evolve via spontaneous mutations. Evol Ecol 36, 787–805 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-022-10205-5

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