Abstract Detail



Ecology

Cross, Regan [1], Eckert, Christopher [2].

Is local adaptation associated with long-term persistence beyond the range?

Species may need to shift their geographic ranges poleward to track the changing climate. However, the extent to which incremental local adaptation to new beyond-range conditions will be associated with these range shifts is unknown. In 2005, we transplanted individuals of the Pacific coastal dune plant Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia into four sites within and one beyond its northern range limit. Fitness of beyond-range transplants was often greater than within-range populations, and there was no sign of local adaptation among the source populations. More than ten­ generations later, plant density and individual fitness remain high in descendent populations beyond the range. To determine whether experimental populations adapted to the extreme environment beyond the range, we performed a second transplant experiment in 2018 using individuals from all original source and transplant sites, including the beyond-range site. All populations were planted at two within-range sites, one range edge, the original beyond-range site, and a site further beyond range. Lifetime fitness at both beyond-range sites was again as high or higher than at within-range sites. Individuals sourced from beyond range populations slightly outperformed within-range individuals when planted at the original beyond-range site, suggesting possible local adaptation to conditions beyond the range. Our results indicate that, even for species that are not locally adapted within their natural ranges, adaptation may occur alongside poleward range shifts under climate change.


1 - Queen's University, Dept of Biology, 116 Barrie St, Biosciences Complex, Kingston, Ontario, K7L3N6, Canada
2 - Department Of Biology, Department Of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada

Keywords:
Range limits
range shifts
Local Adaptation
Reciprocal Transplant
beyond-range transplant.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: ECO2, Ecology 2 : Adaptation and Landscape Genetics
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2020
Time: 1:15 PM
Number: ECO2004
Abstract ID:397
Candidate for Awards:Ecological Section Best Graduate Student Paper


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