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Reconstructing geographical parthenogenesis: effects of niche differentiation and reproductive mode on Holocene range expansion of an alpine plant
Author(s) -
Kirchheimer Bernhard,
Wessely Johannes,
Gattringer Andreas,
Hülber Karl,
Moser Dietmar,
Schinkel Christoph C. F.,
Appelhans Marc,
Klatt Simone,
Caccianiga Marco,
Dellinger Agnes,
Guisan Antoine,
Kuttner Michael,
Lenoir Jonathan,
Maiorano Luigi,
NietoLugilde Diego,
Plutzar Christoph,
Svenning JensChristian,
Willner Wolfgang,
Hörandl Elvira,
Dullinger Stefan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12908
Subject(s) - ecology , biology , apomixis , range (aeronautics) , niche , ecological niche , niche differentiation , parthenogenesis , asexual reproduction , environmental niche modelling , habitat , ploidy , embryo , biochemistry , materials science , composite material , gene , microbiology and biotechnology
Asexual taxa often have larger ranges than their sexual progenitors, particularly in areas affected by Pleistocene glaciations. The reasons given for this ‘geographical parthenogenesis’ are contentious, with expansion of the ecological niche or colonisation advantages of uniparental reproduction assumed most important in case of plants. Here, we parameterized a spread model for the alpine buttercup Ranunculus kuepferi and reconstructed the joint Holocene range expansion of its sexual and apomictic cytotype across the European Alps under different simulation settings. We found that, rather than niche broadening or a higher migration rate, a shift of the apomict's niche towards colder conditions per se was crucial as it facilitated overcoming of topographical barriers, a factor likely relevant for many alpine apomicts. More generally, our simulations suggest potentially strong interacting effects of niche differentiation and reproductive modes on range formation of related sexual and asexual taxa arising from their differential sensitivity to minority cytotype disadvantage.