Neutral and Climate-Driven Adaptive Processes Contribute to Explain Population Variation in Resin Duct Traits in a Mediterranean Pine Species.

ABSTRACT: Resin ducts are important anatomical defensive traits related to biotic resistance in conifers. Previous studies have reported intraspecific genetic variation in resin duct characteristics. However, little is currently known about the micro-evolutionary patterns and adaptive value of these defensive structures. Here, we quantified inter-population genetic variation in resin duct features and their inducibility in Pinus pinaster and assessed whether such variation was associated with climate gradients. To that end, we characterized the resin duct system of 2-year-old saplings from 10 populations across the species' distribution range. We measured axial resin duct features (density, mean size, and percentage conductive area of resin ducts) and their inducibility in response to methyl

SUBMITTER: Vazquez-Gonzalez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6923275 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature