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Phenotypic plasticity masks range‐wide genetic differentiation for vegetative but not reproductive traits in a short‐lived plant
Author(s) -
Villellas Jesus,
Ehrlén Johan,
Crone Elizabeth E.,
Csergő Anna Mária,
Garcia Maria B.,
Laine AnnaLiisa,
Roach Deborah A.,
SalgueroGómez Roberto,
Wardle Glenda M.,
Childs Dylan Z.,
Elderd Bret D.,
Finn Alain,
MunnéBosch Sergi,
Bachelot Benedicte,
Bódis Judit,
Bucharova Anna,
Caruso Christina M.,
Catford Jane A.,
Coghill Matthew,
Compagi Aldo,
Duncan Richard P.,
Dwyer John M.,
Ferguson Aryana,
Fraser Lauchlan H.,
Griffoul Emily,
Groenteman Ronny,
Hamre Liv Norunn,
Helm Aveliina,
Kelly Ruth,
Laanisto Lauri,
Lonati Michele,
Münzbergová Zuzana,
Nuche Paloma,
Olsen Siri Lie,
Oprea Adrian,
Pärtel Meelis,
Petry William K.,
Ramula Satu,
Rasmussen Pil U.,
Enri Simone Ravetto,
Roeder Anna,
Roscher Christiane,
Schultz Cheryl,
Skarpaas Olav,
Smith Annabel L.,
Tack Ayco J.M.,
Töpper Joachim Paul,
Vesk Peter A.,
Vose Gregory E.,
Wandrag Elizabeth,
Wingler Astrid,
Buckley Yvonne M.
Publication year - 2021
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.13858
Subject(s) - biology , phenotypic plasticity , trait , evolutionary biology , genetic variation , phenotypic trait , reproductive success , disruptive selection , intraspecific competition , ecology , phenotype , genetics , population , natural selection , gene , demography , sociology , computer science , programming language
Genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity jointly shape intraspecific trait variation, but their roles differ among traits. In short‐lived plants, reproductive traits may be more genetically determined due to their impact on fitness, whereas vegetative traits may show higher plasticity to buffer short‐term perturbations. Combining a multi‐treatment greenhouse experiment with observational field data throughout the range of a widespread short‐lived herb, Plantago lanceolata , we (1) disentangled genetic and plastic responses of functional traits to a set of environmental drivers and (2) assessed how genetic differentiation and plasticity shape observational trait–environment relationships. Reproductive traits showed distinct genetic differentiation that largely determined observational patterns, but only when correcting traits for differences in biomass. Vegetative traits showed higher plasticity and opposite genetic and plastic responses, masking the genetic component underlying field‐observed trait variation. Our study suggests that genetic differentiation may be inferred from observational data only for the traits most closely related to fitness.