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HABITAT DIFFERENCES OF THREE LIATRIS SPECIES AND THEIR HYBRID DERIVATIVES IN AN INTERBREEDING POPULATION
Author(s) -
Hadley Elmer B.,
Levin Donald A.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1967.tb10676.x
Subject(s) - biology , hybrid , sympatric speciation , habitat , ecology , organic matter , ridge , botany , population , phosphorus , paleontology , demography , materials science , sociology , metallurgy
The genus Liatris (Compositae) affords a favorable vehicle for an analysis of ecological and spatial isolation and their relationship to hybridization. Three biotically sympatric species, L. aspera, L. cylindracea , and L. spicata , were found within a northeastern Illinois sand prairie. Distribution of the three Liatris species was clearly related to a series of elevation, soil moisture, organic matter, exchangeable cation, and available phosphorus gradients. Liatris aspera occupied the upper slopes and ridge tops which were high in potassium and phosphorus content but low in moisture, organic matter, calcium, and magnesium levels. Liatris spicata occurred on the lower slopes and depressions with high soil moisture, organic matter, calcium, and magnesium levels but low potassium and phosphorus content. The third species, L. cylindracea , was restricted to the intermediate mid slopes. These distributional belts intergraded and created broad zones of overlap with opportunities for hybridization. The extent of hybridization was related to the spatial association of species and the availability of intermediate habitats. Hybrids had relatively narrow habitat preferences, and as such, few of the available spectrum of habitats along the elevational gradients were suitable for their establishment.