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Phylogeography of two hybridizing southern beeches (Nothofagus spp.) with different adaptive abilities

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Abstract

In phylogenetically related plant species, hybridization can influence their current genetic structure. Long-lasting hybridization may be related to persistence in shared glacial refugia, where the differential abilities of each species to survive could have provided adaptations to changing environmental conditions. In temperate South American forests at the Patagonia region, the pattern of Quaternary glaciations offered several opportunities for refuge. At mid-latitudes (42° to 44° S), particular topographic characteristics determined different glaciation patterns, defining the existence of a transitional zone. We studied two widespread Nothofagus species (Nothofagus pumilio, Nothofagus antarctica) characterized by contrasting plasticity. We screened 40 coupled populations with three cpDNA markers and found 14 different haplotypes. Both species presented significant phylogeographic structure (N ST ≥ G ST, p > 0.001), with two geographically segregated lineages (north–south). A latitudinal cline in the distribution of genetic diversity was determined, with most variable populations in the north (35°–41° S). Population diversity diminished to southern latitudes, but a particular situation occurs between 42°S and 44°S. The transition zone, a putative refuge area, presented unique haplotypes. The more plastic species, N. antarctica, probably persisted in more refuge areas, which could be reflected in its higher levels of diversity. In these species, sympatric distribution explains introgression (IG > IG e), but the differential levels of haplotype sharing between N. pumilio and N. antarctica at population level are relevant to the understanding of phylogeographic patterns. Hybridization may have facilitated recruitment in the onset of postglacial colonization by middle to long-distance pollen dispersal. In the current scenario of climate change, the presence of hybrids with different plastic responses is of remarkable importance.

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Acknowledgments

Authors want to thank Victor Mondino, Mercedes Sá, Pablo Peri, Liliana Lozano, and Marcos Menguer for field assistance; Alejandro Aparicio for help with statistical tests; and Fernando Umaña for help with map configuration. This research was supported by the project PIP 2008 112-200801-01657 CONICET (Argentina).

C.Soliani is a scholarship holder, and Paula Marchelli is a research worker at the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.

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  1. Unidad de Genética Ecológica y Mejoramiento Forestal, INTA EEA Bariloche, CC277, 8400, Bariloche, Argentina

    Carolina Soliani, Leonardo Gallo & Paula Marchelli

  2. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) URL:www.conicet.gov.ar/

    Carolina Soliani & Paula Marchelli

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  1. Carolina Soliani
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  2. Leonardo Gallo
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Correspondence to Paula Marchelli.

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Communicated by A. Kremer

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Soliani, C., Gallo, L. & Marchelli, P. Phylogeography of two hybridizing southern beeches (Nothofagus spp.) with different adaptive abilities. Tree Genetics & Genomes 8, 659–673 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-011-0452-9

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