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Plant population dynamics on oceanic islands during the Late Quaternary climate changes: genetic evidence from a tree species ( Coffea mauritiana ) in Reunion Island
Author(s) -
Garot Edith,
Joët Thierry,
Combes MarieChristine,
Severac Dany,
Lashermes Philippe
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.16052
Subject(s) - ecology , biodiversity , climate change , biology , population , geography , demographic history , coffea arabica , genetic diversity , botany , demography , sociology
Summary Past climatic fluctuations have played a major role in shaping the current plant biodiversity. Although harbouring an exceptional biota, oceanic islands have received little attention in studies on species demographic history and past vegetation patterns. We investigated the impact of past climatic changes on the effective population size of a tree ( Coffea mauritiana ) that is endemic to Reunion Island, located in the south‐western Indian Ocean ( SWIO ). Demographic changes were inferred using summary statistics calculated from genomic data. Using ecological niche modelling and the current distribution of genetic diversity, the paleodistribution of the species was also assessed. A reduction in the effective population size of C. mauritiana during the last glaciation maximum was inferred. The distribution of the species was reduced on the western side of the island, due to low rainfall. It appeared that a major reduction in rainfall and a slight temperature decrease prevailed in the SWIO . Our findings indicated that analyses on the current patterns of intraspecific genetic variations can efficiently contribute to past climatic changes characterisation in remote islands. Identifying area with higher resilience in oceanic islands could provide guidance in forest management and conservation faced to the global climate change.