Investigating past range dynamics for a weed of cultivation, Silene vulgaris.

ABSTRACT: Since the last glacial maximum (LGM), many plant and animal taxa have expanded their ranges by migration from glacial refugia. Weeds of cultivation may have followed this trend or spread globally following the expansion of agriculture or ruderal habitats associated with human-mediated disturbance. We tested whether the range expansion of the weed Silene vulgaris across Europe fit the classical model of postglacial expansion from southern refugia, or followed known routes of the expansion of human agricultural practices. We used species distribution modeling to predict spatial patterns of postglacial expansion and contrasted these with the patterns of human agricultural expansion. A population genetic analysis using microsatellite loci was then used to test which scenario was better support

SUBMITTER: Sebasky ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4979708 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature