Divergent mechanisms of reduced growth performance in Betula ermanii saplings from high-altitude and low-latitude range edges.

ABSTRACT: The reduced growth performance of individuals from range edges is a common phenomenon in various taxa, and considered to be an evolutionary factor that limits the species' range. However, most studies did not distinguish between two mechanisms that can lead to this reduction: genetic load and adaptive selection to harsh conditions. To address this lack of understanding, we investigated the climatic and genetic factors underlying the growth performance of Betula ermanii saplings transplanted from 11 populations including high-altitude edge and low-latitude edge population. We estimated the climatic position of the populations within the overall B. ermanii's distribution, and the genetic composition and diversity using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing, and measured survival, growth

SUBMITTER: Aihara T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10673911 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature