Anthropogenic and natural drivers of gene flow in a temperate wild fruit tree: a basis for conservation and breeding programs in apples

Evolutionary Applications

Amandine Cornille¹  Alice Feurtey¹  Uriel Gélin³  Jeanne Ropars¹  Kristine Misvanderbrugge²  Pierre Gladieux¹ 

[1] Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France;Institute for Forestry and Game Management, Geraardsbergen, Belgium;Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada

关键词: admixture;    crabapple;    dispersal;    glacial refugia;    global changes;    pollinators;    SPIPOLL;   

DOI  :  10.1111/eva.12250

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Gene flow is an essential component of population adaptation and species evolution. Understanding of the natural and anthropogenic factors affecting gene flow is also critical for the development of appropriate management, breeding, and conservation programs. Here, we explored the natural and anthropogenic factors impacting crop-to-wild and within wild gene flow in apples in Europe using an unprecedented dense sampling of 1889 wild apple (Malus sylvestris) from European forests and 339 apple cultivars (Malus domestica). We made use of genetic, environmental, and ecological data (microsatellite markers, apple production across landscapes and records of apple flower visitors, respectively). We provide the first evidence that both human activities, through apple production, and human disturbance, through modifications of apple flower visitor diversity, have had a significant impact on crop-to-wild interspecific introgression rates. Our analysis also revealed the impact of previous natural climate change on historical gene flow in the nonintrogressed wild apple M. sylvestris, by identifying five distinct genetic groups in Europe and a north–south gradient of genetic diversity. These findings identify human activities and climate as key drivers of gene flow in a wild temperate fruit tree and provide a practical basis for conservation, agroforestry, and breeding programs for apples in Europe.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.