Sympatric and allopatric niche shift of endemic Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae) taxa in the Iberian Peninsula

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206043
• Publication Date: 2018-11-07T13:35:15Z
• Authors: Miguel de Luis; Carmen Bartolomé; Óscar García Cardo; Juan Manuel Martí...; Julio Álvarez-Jim...
• Keywords: Parapatric speciation; Niche differentiation; Environmental niche modelling; Ecological speciation; Subspecies

Several species of the Gypsophila genus are endemic to Iberian Peninsula, including gypsophytes particular ecological, evolutionary and biochemical interest, taxa that have undergone both sympatric allopatric genetic differentiation. The niche shift among these has been assessed using ecological modelling ordination techniques, adopting a overlap approach compare similarity equivalency niches. We used Maximum Entropy method study potential distribution in different eras: Last Glacial (LGM), Mid Holocene current conditions. present evidence during speciation G. bermejoi, with strong between parental (G. struthium subsp. tomentosa), yet much more weakly hybrid species. This phenomenon may be explained by epigenetic interactions, it described other also studied sister subspecies hispanica, mostly distributions System mountain range acting as geographical barrier. ranges favored differences climatic conditions on either side range, which is consistent an incipient process bioclimatic speciation. These results seem indicate can occur over very timespans. In case produced significant shifting one or two generations due its alloploid nature. By contrast, hispanica gradual differentiation driven factors. Both processes relatively recent they will strongly influenced climate change at end LGM.