Functional trait divergence and trait plasticity confer polyploid advantage in heterogeneous environments.

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Plant sciences
• Genetics

Background:

• Polyploidy (whole-genome duplication) is common in eukaryotes and linked to ecological success, particularly in plants.
• The specific mechanisms driving polyploid success in varied environments are not well understood.
• Understanding polyploid adaptation is crucial for plant evolution and ecology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how functional trait divergence and plasticity contribute to polyploid fitness advantages in heterogeneous environments.
• To test the 'jack-and-master' hypothesis in wild strawberry (Fragaria) allopolyploids.
• To elucidate ecological mechanisms of polyploid adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Grew clonal replicates of six allopolyploid and five diploid wild strawberry (Fragaria) taxa in three distinct common gardens.
• Assessed functional trait divergence and plasticity in leaf traits.
• Quantified fitness advantage across heterogeneous environmental conditions.

Main Results:

• Polyploids showed divergence in leaf functional trait means but not in trait plasticities compared to diploids.
• Polyploids exhibited a fitness advantage in heterogeneous environments.
• This advantage was attributed to both trait means and adaptive trait plasticities.

Conclusions:

• Increased genomic redundancy in polyploids does not automatically confer greater trait plasticity.
• Polyploid success in diverse environments is explained by a combination of evolved traits and adaptive plasticity.
• Findings offer insights into the ecological basis for the prevalence and persistence of polyploid plants.