Ecological differentiation of diploid and polyploid cytotypes of Senecio carniolicus sensu lato (Asteraceae) is stronger in areas of sympatry.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Ecological differentiation is recognized as an important factor for polyploid speciation, but little is known regarding whether the ecological niches of cytotypes differ between areas of sympatry and areas where single cytotypes occur (i.e. niche displacement).

Methods

Ecological niches of four groups of Senecio carniolicus sensu lato (s.l.) (western and eastern diploid lineages, tetraploids and hexaploids) were characterized via Landolt indicator values of the accompanying vascular plant species and tested using multivariate and univariate statistics.

Key results

The four groups of S. carniolicus s.l. were ecologically differentiated mainly with respect to temperature, light and soil (humus content, nutrients, moisture variability). Niche breadths

SUBMITTER: Sonnleitner M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4724049 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature