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Partitioning adaptive differentiation across a patchy landscape: shade avoidance traits in impatiens capensis
Eric J von Wettberg1, David L Remington, Johanna Schmitt
1Brown University, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA. evonwettberg@ucdavis.edu
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|December 18, 2007
Summary
Adaptive evolution in Impatiens capensis (a plant) shows repeated divergence between open and closed habitats. Genetic and morphological data suggest different selective pressures, but outcomes vary by location and initial genetic makeup.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Population Genetics
Background:
- Habitat fragmentation can drive adaptive evolution.
- Adaptation may arise independently or through repeated colonization by specialized genotypes.
- Impatiens capensis exhibits distinct open- and closed-canopy forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether open- and closed-canopy adaptations in Impatiens capensis evolved repeatedly.
- To compare genetic differentiation (FST) with morphological differentiation (QST) between habitats.
- To understand the role of selective pressures and genetic variation in adaptive divergence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) for genetic markers.
- Measurement of morphological differentiation (QST) in elongation traits.
- Hierarchical partitioning of FST and QST across five New England regions.
Main Results:
- Morphological differentiation (QHT) exceeded marker divergence (FHT), indicating adaptive differentiation.
- Genotypes from different canopy habitats showed differences in shade avoidance traits.
- AFLP patterns suggested that adaptive differentiation did not originate from a single event.
Conclusions:
- Open and closed canopy habitats exert distinct selective pressures on Impatiens capensis.
- The outcome of diversifying selection varies with habitat specifics and initial genetic variation.
- Hierarchical analysis distinguishes landscape-level stabilizing selection from regional diversifying selection.
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