Long-term acclimation to reciprocal light conditions suggests depth-related selection in the marine foundation species Posidonia oceanica.

ABSTRACT: Phenotypic differences among populations of the same species reflect selective responses to ecological gradients produced by variations in abiotic and biotic factors. Moreover, they can also originate from genetic differences among populations, due to a reduced gene flow. In this study, we examined the extent of differences in photo-acclimative traits of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile clones collected above and below the summer thermocline (i.e., -5 and -25 m) in a continuous population extending along the water depth gradient. During a reciprocal light exposure and subsequent recovery in mesocosms, we assessed degree of phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation of plants collected at different depths, by measuring changes in several traits, such as gene expression of target

SUBMITTER: Dattolo E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5306012 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature