Adaptive divergence generates distinct plastic responses in two closely related Senecio species.

ABSTRACT: The evolution of plastic responses to external cues allows species to maintain fitness in response to the environmental variations they regularly experience. However, it remains unclear how plasticity evolves during adaptation. To test whether distinct patterns of plasticity are associated with adaptive divergence, we quantified plasticity for two closely related but ecologically divergent Sicilian daisy species (Senecio, Asteraceae). We sampled 40 representative genotypes of each species from their native range on Mt. Etna and then reciprocally transplanted multiple clones of each genotype into four field sites along an elevational gradient that included the native elevational range of each species, and two intermediate elevations. At each elevation, we quantified survival and measured le

SUBMITTER: Walter GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9322604 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature