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Rapid evolution of leaf physiology in an introduced beach daisy
Claire R Brandenburger1, Julia Cooke2, William B Sherwin1
1Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|August 29, 2019
Summary
Introduced beach daisies Arctotheca populifolia showed altered photosynthesis strategies, with lower rates and higher water-use efficiency than their native South African counterparts. This highlights unexpected evolutionary changes in new environments.
Area of Science:
- Plant physiology
- Evolutionary biology
- Ecology
Background:
- Photosynthesis is crucial for plants, but adaptive strategies in new environments are poorly understood.
- The South African beach daisy Arctotheca populifolia was introduced to Australia, providing an opportunity to study adaptive changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Arctotheca populifolia altered its photosynthetic strategy after introduction to Australia.
- To compare physiological and morphological leaf traits between introduced Australian and native South African populations.
Main Methods:
- A common-garden experiment was conducted using Arctotheca populifolia from Australia and its likely South African source population.
- Ten leaf traits related to photosynthesis were measured.
- Water-use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen-use efficiency were assessed.
Main Results:
- Introduced Arctotheca populifolia exhibited a lower photosynthetic rate compared to the native population.
- Introduced plants showed higher water-use efficiency (WUE) and lower nitrogen-use efficiency.
- Unexpected results contradicted predictions based on higher rainfall in the introduced range.
Conclusions:
- Introduced Arctotheca populifolia evolved different photosynthetic strategies, contrary to predictions based on environmental factors like rainfall.
- Comparing introduced species to their source populations is vital for understanding evolutionary changes.
- Ecological context, such as water availability, is critical for predicting the direction of evolutionary adaptation in invasive species.
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