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Human Fragmentation Effects Are Genetically Detectable After 6 Years in an Island-Endemic Plant
Wen-Ting Jin1,2, Shao-Jun Ling1,2, Myong Gi Chung3
1International Joint Center for Terrestrial Biodiversity Around South China Sea of Hainan Province, School of Ecology Hainan University Haikou China.
Human-built infrastructure like expressways significantly increased genetic differentiation in Primulina heterotricha plants over six years. This highlights the impact of infrastructure on plant gene flow and biodiversity, suggesting the need for ecological corridors.
Area of Science:
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Conservation Genetics
- Phylogeography
Background:
- Anthropogenic disturbances are major threats to global biodiversity.
- Understanding the impact of human-built infrastructure on plant gene flow and phylogeographic structure is crucial for ecosystem conservation and restoration.
- The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, a region of global importance, faces significant anthropogenic pressures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a large reservoir and two expressways on the gene flow and phylogeographic structure of Primulina heterotricha.
- To assess changes in genetic diversity and differentiation in P. heterotricha populations before and after the construction of expressways.
Main Methods:
- Comparative phylogeography was employed using nuclear ribosomal DNA and two chloroplast DNA sequences.
- Genetic diversity and differentiation were estimated in 176 individuals (2016) and 117 individuals (2022) from eight P. heterotricha populations.
- Analysis focused on changes in genetic differentiation and ribotype sharing across populations separated by expressway networks.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in nuclear genetic differentiation was observed in P. heterotricha between 2016 and 2022, coinciding with expressway construction.
- Sharing of ribotypes among populations separated by the expressway network diminished significantly during the study period.
- Changes in genetic barriers indicated that geographic isolation caused by human infrastructure is a key factor in the observed phylogeographic patterns.
Conclusions:
- Large anthropogenic infrastructures can rapidly increase genetic differentiation and modify phylogeographic patterns in plant species within a short timeframe (six years/two generations).
- Direct evidence is provided for the impact of human constructions on the genetic structure of P. heterotricha.
- Establishing ecological corridors is recommended to enhance gene exchange and mitigate the effects of artificial barriers on plant populations.
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