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Valor de Conservación de Sitios de Hibridación en Poblaciones Periféricas de Especies de Plantas Raras
Author(s) -
THOMPSON JOHN D.,
GAUDEUL MYRIAM,
DEBUSSCHE MAX
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01304.x
Subject(s) - introgression , rare species , disjunct , range (aeronautics) , biology , endemism , threatened species , ecology , genetic diversity , species distribution , common species , hybrid , endangered species , population , habitat , botany , biochemistry , materials science , demography , sociology , gene , composite material
Populations at the periphery of a species’ range are of interest to conservation biologists because they can show marked genetic differentiation from populations at the center of a range and because of potential hybridization among rare and common species. We examined two closely related Cyclamen species. One is a narrow endemic, and the other is more geographically widespread (both protected by law in continental southern France). We used floral traits and genetic variability to test for hybridization among the species in peripheral populations of the rare species. The species co‐occurred on Corsica in a disjunct, peripheral part of the distribution of the endemic species and in an ecologically marginal area for the widespread species. The two species have hybridized and the endemic species showed high levels of introgression with its widespread congener. Genetic and floral variability in sites with both species was markedly higher than in sites with a single species. Our results highlight the need for a conservation strategy that integrates hybrid populations because they represent a source of novel diversity that may have adaptive potential.