Ecological and evolutionary studies largely assume that island populations display low levels of neutral genetic variation. However, this notion has only been formally tested in a few cases involving plant taxa, the confounding effect selection on diversity (GD) estimates based putatively markers typically overlooked. Here, we generated nuclear microsatellite plastid DNA sequence data Periploca laevigata, taxon with an island-mainland distribution area, to (i) investigate whether affects GD...

Phylogenetic and phylogeographic investigations have been previously performed to study the evolution of olive tree complex (Olea europaea). A particularly high genomic diversity has found in north-west Africa. However, date no exhaustive addressed infer putative polyploidization events their evolutionary significance diversification its relatives.Representatives six subspecies were investigated using (a) flow cytometry estimate genome content, (b) highly variable nuclear microsatellites...

Abstract Molecular dating offers a tool for inferring the time of divergence between two lineages. In this study, we discuss how dated molecular reconstructions are informative different, albeit often intermingled, estimates with regard to fundamental process in island biogeography: colonization (TIC). We illustrate stem age provide information on extant lineage and their closest relatives (i.e. onset differentiation). Such estimates, however, typically poor TIC predictors, as they strongly...

Abstract Aim We explore the idea that most pre‐glacial non‐endemic Canarian flora became endemic to archipelago by extinction of its mainland populations during late Pleistocene glaciations, implying extant is mostly post‐glacial: ‘late endemicity increase hypothesis’. Taxon The native archipelago. Methods statistically compare distributions 2087 and plants across islands. also carry out connectivity analyses using their dispersal paths, obtained connecting all islands occurrence for each...

Geographical isolation and polyploidization are central concepts in plant evolution. The hierarchical organization of archipelagos this study provides a framework for testing the evolutionary consequences polyploid taxa populations occurring isolation. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism simple sequence repeat markers, we determined genetic diversity differentiation patterns at three levels geographical Olea europaea: mainland-archipelagos, islands within an archipelago, island. At...

Abstract Refugia are expected to preserve genetic variation of relict taxa, especially in polyploids, because high gene dosages could prevent erosion small isolated populations. However, other attributes linked polyploidy, such as asexual reproduction, may strongly limit the levels variability Here, ploidy and patterns at nuclear microsatellite loci were analysed P runus lusitanica , a polyploid species with clonal reproduction that is considered paradigmatic example T ertiary relict....

Abstract Aim The loss of dispersal on islands hypothesis ( LDIH ) posits that wind‐dispersed plants should exhibit reduced potential, particularly if island populations are old. In this study, we tested using a detailed phylogeographical framework across different geographical scales. Location Mainland and areas the Atlantic Mediterranean regions, including Macaronesia (Canary Islands Cape Verde) in strait Sicily. Methods Forty‐five Periploca laevigata , shrub, were sampled. Plastid nuclear...

Abstract Aim Plants on islands are often subjected to lower levels of herbivory relative those found at mainland sites. As a consequence, island plants predicted exhibit physical or chemical defences, which renders them more susceptible introduced herbivores. Yet, instances high pressure by superabundant herbivores native have been reported in many insular systems, presumably would result heightened plant defences. To date, no quantitative review has conducted determine how common these...

Abstract Inferring general biogeographic patterns in the sub‐Antarctic region has been challenging due to disparate geological origins of its islands and archipelagos—ranging from Gondwanan fragments uplifted seafloor more recently formed volcanic islands—and remoteness these island systems, spread around austral continental landmasses. Here, we conduct phylogenetic reconstruction, divergence time estimation, Bayesian Island Biogeographic analyses reconstruct spatio–temporal colonization...

Theoretical and empirical studies suggest that geographical isolation extinction–recolonization dynamics are two factors causing strong genetic structure in metapopulations, but their consequences species with high dispersal abilities have not been tested at large scales. Here, we investigated the effect of population age by distance patterns diversity a wind-pollinated, zoochorous tree (Olea europaea subsp. guanchica) sporadically affected volcanic events across Canarian archipelago....

1. Canopy plasticity, the expression of different leaf phenotypes within crown an individual tree has complex functional and evolutionary implications that remain to be thoroughly assessed. We hypothesized it can lead disparity in how leaves positions canopy change with allometric growth population genetic structure. 2. Leaf inner outer were estimated using eight morphological physiological characters. All traits measured under field conditions six populations Olea europaea again a common...

Ecological conditions, such as high habitat diversity and the absence of competitors, have been proposed key determinants patterns speciation observed in oceanic island floras. However, relationship between plant traits lineage diversification has received less attention. Here, we review 120 published phylogenetic population genetic studies three well-studied archipelagos (Canary Islands, Galápagos Hawai'i) to investigate potential associations life history characters (growth form fruit...

Archipelagos provide a valuable framework for investigating phenotypic evolution under different levels of geographical isolation. Here, we analysed two co-distributed, widespread plant lineages to examine if incipient island differentiation follows parallel patterns variation in traits related dispersal and colonization. Twenty-one populations anemochorous Canarian endemics, Kleinia neriifolia Periploca laevigata, were sampled represent mainland congeners contrasting exposures across all...

Abstract Aim It is predicted that insular plant taxa have evolved reduced defences in response to lower herbivore pressure on islands. However, the few studies testing this hypothesis addressed variation individual defensive traits, without paying attention patterns of correlated trait expression (i.e. defence syndromes). Location Balearic and Canary Islands. Taxon Ninety‐one woody species. Methods We tested whether species with contrasting histories insularity (namely, endemics, non‐endemic...

as a long-lived sprouter, responds plastically to environmental variation. In this study, the role of foliar plasticity mechanism habitat selection and modification within canopy across contrasted habitats was characterized. An examination made differential contribution inner outer layers crown expressed in field by adult individuals its dependence on genetic factors. Within-crown variation eight traits examined nine populations dominated Q. coccifera. The difference between mean trait...

Strong geographical isolation within the distribution of a species may result in differentiated lineages exhibiting conspicuous phenotypic differences. In present paper, we investigate whether plastid and variation is geographically structured Olea europaea complex Macaronesia, which comprises three subspecies separated by oceanic barriers: maroccana (south-west Morocco), guanchica (Canary Islands) cerasiformis (Madeira archipelago). Plastid showed significant pattern structure (NST > GST =...

Abstract Subtropical islands are often viewed as refuges where Quaternary climatic shifts driving global episodes of extinction were buffered. Island biodiversity, however, may have been impacted by fluctuations at local scales, particularly in spatially heterogeneous island systems. In this study, we generated a conceptual framework for predicting the potential impact Pleistocene extinctions on biogeographical pattern Canarian spermatophyte flora, with focus easternmost ( ECI ). Then,...

Woody plants, as sessile and long-lived organisms, are expected to have effective mechanisms for dealing with recurrent environmental stresses. In the present study, we hypothesized that phenotypic plasticity (the ability express alternative phenotypes) integration (covariation among functionally related traits) elicited in plants under stressful wind speed conditions. We investigated within-crown variation of nine vegetative traits a tree species (Olea europaea subsp. guanchica) six...

Premise of the Study We tested a hypothesis that predicts loss chemical defenses on island plant populations ( LCDIH ) as an evolutionary response to limited herbivore pressures. Methods Using common garden approach, we grew 16 N = 286 seedlings) Periploca laevigata , Mediterranean shrub for which previous studies suggested animal browsing elicits defensive responses mediated by tannins. Our experimental setting represented wide latitudinal gradient (37–15°N) encompassing three systems,...

Abstract Accurate inference in phylogeography requires appropriate sampling strategies. Complex questions demand a large sample size at both the population and genetic levels to obtain precise reconstructions. This is case of phylogeographic history Cistus monspeliensis , plant that displays low plastid (cpDNA) diversity Mediterranean Basin but high Canary Islands. Here, we aimed identify refugial areas accurately quantify inter‐island colonization events Canaries. Using previous study as...

Abstract Aim One of the main goals functional biogeography is to examine distribution patterns trait diversity, and islands provide excellent study cases for this emerging field. We tested hypothesis that multiple dispersals from a common mainland pool would promote similarity among island systems when environmental conditions are similar, but also novel phenotypic traits related colonization history exploitation new habitats. Location Mediterranean Basin Macaronesian islands. Taxon Wolfbane...