Introgression between Betula tianshanica and Betula microphylla and its implications for conservation

Ding, Junyi; Hua, Donglai; Borrell, James S.; Buggs, Richard J. A.; Wang, Luwei; Wang, Feifei; Li, Zheng; Wang, Nian

Introgression between Betula tianshanica and Betula microphylla and its implications for conservation

Download

Name

ppp3.10182.pdf

Description

visibility:open

Size

3.8 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (CRC64NVME)

FnYp3OYGOpE=

Resource type

Journal article

Creator (person)

Ding, Junyi

Hua, Donglai

Borrell, James S.

ORCID

Buggs, Richard J. A.

ORCID

Wang, Luwei

Wang, Feifei

Li, Zheng

Wang, Nian

ORCID

Date published

February 3, 2021

Abstract

In areas where closely related species meet, the possibility that they may hybridize must be taken into account by conservationists. Hybridization may have positive or negative consequences for the long‐term future of species. If present, its dynamics need to be understood. Betula microphylla is a declining wetland tree species in NW China that forms a continuum of leaf morphology and geographic distribution with its relative Betula tianshanica. We use ecological niche models to predict the distribution of B. microphylla and B. tianshanica. We use restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing and SSRs to resolve their genetic structure and patterns of allele sharing. Ecological niche models predict an expansion of the range of B. tianshanica into that of B. microphylla since the Last Glacial Maximum and the contraction of B. microphylla's range in the future. Genetic data suggest that the two species have hybridized in the Junggar basin and in the Tianshan Mountains where the two species have co‐occurred in the recent past and in the Altay Mountains where there are no records of B. tianshanica occurrence. Rare populations previously identified as sub‐species of B. microphylla were shown to be of hybrid origin. Further research is needed on the costs and benefits of hybridization between B. microphylla and B. tianshanica in the changing environment of NW China. Our current data suggest that conservation effort should aim to slow the rate of anthropogenic habitat loss at the hybrid zone in the Junggar basin and preserve pure populations far away from the hybrid zone in the Altay Mountains.