Genetic relationships among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hystrix patula,H. duthiei</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">H. longearistata</Emphasis> according to meiotic studies and genome-specific RAPD assay

Hybrids including Hystrix patula, H. duthiei and H. longearistata were obtained and genetic relationships among them were studied. Meiotic pairing in hybrids of H. duthiei × Psathyrostachys juncea (Ns), H. longearistata × Psa. juncea (Ns), Leymus multicaulis (NsXm) × H. duthiei, L. multicaulis (NsXm) × H. longearistata, Elymus sibiricus (StH) × H. patula, Roegneria ciliaris (StY) × H. patula, R. ciliaris (StY) × H. duthiei and R. ciliaris (StY) × H. longearistata averaged 5.76, 5.44, 11.94, 10.88, 10.08, 3.57, 0.46 and 0.90 bivalents per cell, respectively. The results indicated that H. duthiei and H. longearistata had the NsXm genomes of Leymus, while H. patula contained the StH genomes and had a low genome affinity with the StY genomes of Roegneria. Results of genome-specific RAPD assay were comparable with the chromosome pairing data. According to the genomic system of classification in Triticeae, H. patula should be considered as Elymus hystrix L., while H. duthiei and H. longearistata as Leymus duthiei and Leymus duthiei ssp. longearistata, respectively.     

大鹅观草与蛇河披碱草属间杂种的细胞遗传学研究

为探讨大鹅观草(Roegneria grandis,2n=4x=28)的染色体组组成,为其正确的分类处理提供细胞学依据。该研究通过人工远缘杂交,成功获得3株大鹅观草与蛇河披碱草(Elymus wawawaiensis,2n=4x=28)属间杂种F1植株。杂种植株形态介于两亲本之间,不育。亲本及杂种经I2-IK溶液染色后进行花粉育性检测,结果显示Roegneria grandis和Elymus wawawaiensis的花粉可育,育性高达94.6%和90.5%;杂种F1不育。花粉母细胞减数分裂中期I染色体配对结果显示,亲本花粉母细胞配对正常,均形成14个二价体,以环状二价体为主,Roegneria grandis有频率很低(0.04/细胞)的单价体出现;杂种F1平均每个花粉母细胞形成6.46个二价体,变化范围为5~8;在观察的83个花粉母细胞中,有35.2%的花粉母细胞形成了7个二价体,形成6个二价体的细胞占42.59%,较少细胞形成8个二价体;平均每个细胞形成14.66个单价体,变化范围为10~18;平均每细胞观察到0.14个三价体;杂种花粉母细胞染色体构型为14.66 I+6.46 II+0.14 III;平均每细胞交叉数为9.83,C值为0.35。结果表明:(1)R.grandis与Elymus wawawaiensis有一组染色体组同源的St染色体组,另外一组染色体组不是St或者H染色体组,Roegneria grandis的染色体组组成不是St Stg;(2)较低频率的三价体(平均0.14个/细胞),可能是由于R.grandis的St和Y染色体组间具有一定的同源性,也可能是染色体易位等原因导致,对于Y染色体组的起源还需深入地研究;(3)在不同地理来源的披碱草属和鹅观草属物种中St染色体组同源性不同,R.grandis与来自于北美的Elymus lanceolatus与E.wawawaiensis的St染色体组较与分布于亚洲的E.sibiricus和E.caninus的St染色体组同源性反而更高,其原因还需要进一步地研究。     

Meiotic analysis of the interspecific and intergeneric hybrids between Hystrix patula Moench and H. duthiei ssp. longearistata, Pseudoroegneria, Elymus, Roegneria, and Psathyrostachys species (Poaceae, Triticeae)

Interspecific and intergeneric hybridizations were carried out in an investigation of genome homology between Hystrix patula and other species of Hystrix , as well as the generic relationships between H. patula and its related species. Meiotic pairing in the hybrids H. patula  ×  H. duthiei ssp. longearistata (Ns–), H. patula  ×  Pseudoroegneria spicata (St), H. patula  ×  Pse. libanotica (St), Elymus sibiricus (StH) ×  H. patula , H. patula  ×  E. wawawaiensis (StH), Roegneria ciliaris (StY) ×  H. patula , H. patula  ×  R. grandis (StY), and H. patula  ×  Psathyrostachys huashanica (Ns^h) averaged 1.32, 6.53, 5.62, 10.08, 12.83, 3.57, 3.98, and 0.29 bivalents per cell, respectively. The results indicate that: (1) H. patula has no genome homology with H. duthiei ssp. longearistata or the Ns genome from Psathyrostachys ; (2) H. patula contains the same StH genomes as the Elymus species, and the St genome is homologous to the genome of Pse. spicata and Pse. libanotica ; and (3) H. patula has a low genome affinity with the StY genomes of Roegneria . Therefore, it is reasonable to treat H. patula Moench as E. hystrix L.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 213–219.     

Molecular phylogeny of RPB2 gene reveals multiple origin, geographic differentiation of H genome, and the relationship of the Y genome to other genomes in Elymus species

It has been hypothesized from isozymic and cytological studies of Elymus species that the Old and New World taxa may be of separate origin of the H genome in the StH genome species. To test this hypothesis, and estimate the phylogenetic relationships of polyploid Elymus species within the Triticeae, the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) sequence of 36 Elymus accessions containing StH or StY genomes was analyzed with those of Pseudoroegneria (St), Hordeum (H), Agropyron (P), Australopyrum (W), Lophopyrum(Ee), Thinopyrum(Eb) and Dasypyrum (V). Our data indicated that the H genome in Elymus species is differentiated in accordance with geographical origin, and that the Eurasian and American StH genome species have independent alloploid origins with different H-genome donors. Phylogenetic analysis of Y genome sequences with other genome donors (St, H, P, W) of Elymus revealed that W and P genomes are sister to Y genome with a 87% bootstrap support, and that StY and StH species group might have acquired their RPB2 St sequences from distinct Pseudoroegneria gene pools. Our data did not support the suggestion that the St and Y genomes have the same origin as put forward in a previous study using ITS data. Our result provides some insight on the origin of Y genome and its relationship to other genomes in Elymus.     

Drought tolerance in two perennial bunchgrasses used for restoration in the Intermountain West,USA

An ideal restoration species for the semi-arid Intermountain West, USA would be one that grows rapidly when resources are abundant in the spring, yet tolerates summer’s drought. We compared two perennial C_3, Triticeae Intermountain-native bunchgrasses, the widely occurring Pseudoroegneria spicata and the much less widespread Elymus wawawaiensis, commonly used as a restoration surrogate for P. spicata. Specifically, we evaluated seedlings of multiple populations of each species for biomass production, water use, and morphological and physiological traits that might relate to drought tolerance under three watering frequencies (WFs) in a greenhouse. Shoot biomass of E. wawawaiensis exceeded that of P. spicata regardless of WF. At low WF, E. wawawaiensis displayed 38% greater shoot biomass, 80% greater specific leaf area (SLA), and 32% greater precipitation use efficiency (PUE). One E. wawawaiensis population, E-46, displayed particularly high root biomass and water consumption at high WF. We suggest that such a plant material could be especially effective for restoration of Intermountain rangelands by preempting early-season weeds for spring moisture and also achieving high PUE. Our data explain how E. wawawaiensis has been so successful as a restoration surrogate for P. spicata and highlight the importance of measuring functional traits such as PUE and SLA when characterizing restoration plant materials.     

种间杂种染色体配对所揭示的披碱草属植物StY基因组分化及其进化意义

在同倍体(homoploid)植物杂交-分化的物种形成(speciation)过程中,杂交后代与亲本之间的有效生殖隔离是新物种形成的关键。杂种与亲本在时间、空间、生态环境和基因水平上的隔离,保证了杂种后代的分化和稳定,并逐渐形成新物种。为了研究披碱草属(Elymus)含StY基因组四倍体物种的系统演化关系,本文对来自亚洲不同地理分布区的26种披碱草属植物进行了大规模的种间杂交和杂种F1减数分裂染色体配对行为的分析。结果表明各物种之间有不同程度的杂交亲合力,杂交结实率在各杂交组合之间有较大的变异(在4．8％-100％之间);但各物种之间的杂种F1完全不育。证明各物种之间形成了明显的生殖隔离。种间杂种F1减数分裂中期-I染色体配对分析的结果进一步表明,StY基因组随各披碱草属物种地理分布的不同而有不同程度的分化。来自同一分布区(如东亚或西亚分布区之内)物种的StY基因组分化程度较低,但来自不同分布区(如东亚和西亚)物种之间相同的StY基因组具有显著的分化。表明地理隔离对含StY基因组物种的分化起到了十分重要的作用。通过对种间和种内杂种F1的减数分裂异常现象和染色体配对频率变化规律的分析,作者认为细胞学水平的变化,如基因组同源性的分化和染色体结构的变异等都在杂种后代与亲本之间产生生殖隔离并逐渐形成新物种的进化过程中起到了积极的作用。     

Phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships between<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Elymus humidus</Emphasis> and other<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Elymus</Emphasis> species based on sequencing of non-coding regions of cpDNA and AFLP of nuclear DNA

Species of the genus Elymus are closely related to some important cereal crops and may thus serve as potential alien genetic resources for the improvement of these crops. E. humidus is indigenous to Japan and is well adapted to a humid climate. However, the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships between E. humidus and other Elymus species are unclear. To elucidate these relationships, we examined the sequences of three non-coding regions of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) variation of nuclear DNA in E. humidus and other related species. A total of 15 sequence mutations from the three non-coding regions, trnL-trnF, trnF-ndhJ(C), and atpB-rbcL, covering approximately 1,800 bp, were detected in the Elymus species. A phylogenic tree resulting from the cpDNA sequence data revealed that all the species containing the St nuclear genome (St, StH, StY, and StHY) formed a well-supported clade that is remote from the Hordeum species (H). This result strongly supports the finding that Pseudoroegneria is the maternal genome donor to the genus Elymus. In addition, E. humidus showed the closest relationship with the cpDNA genome of the Pseudoroegneria species. The AFLP analysis detected 281 polymorphic bands with 11 AFLP primer combinations. The AFLP result showed that E. humidus is relatively closer to E. tsukushiensis. However, the cpDNA sequencing results indicated that E. humidus and E. tsukushiensis have different cytoplasmic origins. Our results suggest that the evolutionary process between E. humidus and E. tsukushiensis is not monophyletic, although the two species have similar morphological characters and adaptability.Communicated by J. Dvorak     

尾叶桉与窿缘组树种间杂交种的生长特征

选定组配树种对桉树杂交种的特性起决定作用,但不同种间杂交种的生长表现常常不容易预测。为掌握华南地区桉树重要树种间杂交种的生长特征,促进桉树杂交育种的精准化,该文以父本为混合花粉的人工杂交种为遗传材料,以尾叶桉×巨桉为对照,进行了尾叶桉与桉树窿缘组树种(布拉斯桉、细叶桉、钝盖赤桉、昆北赤桉)的4种组配杂交种的生长特征研究。结果表明:在材积生长量上,尾叶桉与窿缘组树种杂交种低于尾叶桉×巨桉,但其内部树种间差异显著(P0.05),其中尾叶桉×昆北赤桉具有显著优势;尾叶桉与窿缘组树种杂交种的树高、胸径均显著小于尾叶桉×巨桉,但其高径比显著大于尾叶桉×巨桉(P0.05);尾叶桉与窿缘组树种杂交种具有高的和一致的保存率,且在不同组配间、家系间(组配内)均无显著差异,5年生值为84.4%～89.6%;尾叶桉与窿缘组树种杂交种的5年生材积的平均变异系数约为64%,组配间、家系间差异大,都大于尾叶桉×巨桉。尾叶桉与窿缘组树种杂交种的速生性、树形等与尾叶桉×巨桉间存在显著差异,尾叶桉与窿缘组树种杂交种的组配、家系间具有显著的生长差异,可为桉树遗传改良提供丰富的多样性。     

Wheat-alien metaphase I pairing of individual wheat genomes and D genome chromosomes in interspecific hybrids between Triticum aestivum L. and Aegilops geniculata Roth

Homoeologous metaphase I (MI) pairing of Triticum aestivum × Aegilops geniculata hybrids (2n = 5× = 35, ABDU^gM^g) has been examined by an in situ hybridization procedure permitting simultaneous discrimination of A, B, D and wild genomes. The seven D genome chromosomes (and their arms, except for 6D and 7D) plus some additional wheat chromosomes were also identified. Wheat-wild MI associations represented more than 60% of total, with an average ratio of 5:1:12 for those involving the A, B and D genomes, respectively. A remarkable between-chromosome variation for the level of wheat-wild genetic exchange is expected within each wheat genome. However, it can be concluded that 3DL and 5DL are the crop genome locations with the highest probability of being transferred to Ae. geniculata. Hybrids derived from the ph2b wheat mutant line showed increased MI pairing but identical pattern of homoeologous associations than those with active Ph2.     

Morphological,cytological, and molecular evidences for natural hybridization between Roegneria stricta and Roegneria turczaninovii (Triticeae: Poaceae)

Some plants with low fertility are morphologically intermediate between Roegneria stricta and Roegneria turczaninovii, and were suspected to be natural hybrids between these species. In this study, karyotype analysis showed that natural hybrids and their putative parents were tetraploids (2n = 4x = 28). Meiotic pairing in natural hybrids is more irregular than its putative parents. Results of genomic in situ hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization indicate that natural hybrids contain the same genome as their putative parents. The nuclear gene DNA meiotic recombinase 1 (DMC1) and the chloroplast gene rps16 of natural hybrids and their putative parents were analyzed for evidence of hybridization. The results from molecular data supported by morphology and cytology demonstrated that the plants represent natural hybrids between R. stricta and R. turczaninovii. The study is important for understanding species evolution in the genus since it demonstrates for the first time the existence of populations of natural homoploid hybrids in Roegneria. The study also reports for the first time that the composition of the genomic formula of R. turczaninovii is StY, confirming that the current taxonomic status is correct.     

Genome constitution of Elymus tangutorum (Poaceae: Triticeae) inferred from meiotic pairing behavior and genomic in situ hybridization

Elymus tangutorum (Nevski) Hand.-Mazz (2n = 6x = 42) is a perennial species in the tribe Triticeae, which distributes in Nepal and north and northwest China. However, the genome constitution of E. tangutorum is controversial and its taxonomic status is not clear. Hybridizations of E. tangutorum were carried out with E. wawawaiensis J. R. Carlson & Barkworth (StH), Roegneria grandis Keng (StY), and E. dahuricus Turcz. ex Griseb. (StYH). Meiotic pairing in the hybrids E. tangutorum × E. wawawaiensis (StH), E. tangutorum × R. grandis (StY), and E. tangutorum × E. dahuricus (StYH) averaged 10.48, 11.12, and 20.92 bivalents per cell, respectively. The results suggested that E. tangutorum is an allohexaploid and contains the StYH genomes. Results of genomic in situ hybridization analysis strongly supported the chromosome pairing data. Therefore, E. tangutorum should be treated as Campeiostachys dahurica var. tangutorum (Nevski) B. R. Baum, J. L. Yang & C. Yen. Intergenomic rearrangements of E. tangutorum may be affected by environmental factors.     

Cytogenetical studies on artificial hybrids amongElymus sibiricus,E. dahuricus andAgropyron tsukushiense in the tribe Triticeae,Gramineae

To explore the cytogenetical relationships ofElymus andAgropyron of the tribe Triticeae, Gramineae, two species of AsiaticElymus, E. sibiricus (2n=28) andE. dahuricus (2n=42), and a JapaneseAgropyron, A. tsukushiense (2n=42) were crossed. Pentaploid and hexaploid F₁ hybrids were vigorous. All pollen grains were aborted and none of the hybrids produced seed. For the crossE. sibiricus × A. tsukushiense, the average chromosome pairing per cell at the MI of the PMCs in the F₁ was 16.38 univalents, 8.93 bivalents, 0.25 trivalents and 0.01 quadrivalents; for the crossE. dahuricus × A. tsukushiense, it was 4.41 univalents, 17.67 bivalents, 0.32 trivalents, 0.28 quadrivalents and 0.04 quinquevalents; and for the crossE. dahuricus × E. sibiricus, it was 17.11 univalents, 8.74 bivalents, 0.04 trivalents and 0.07 quadrivalents. From the present results, it is concluded thatE. sibiricus contains one genome andE. dahuricus contains two genomes, which are homologous to those ofA. tsukushiense, and that the third genome ofE. dahuricus might be partially homologous to the remaining genome ofA. tsukushiense. This conclusion is also supported by the cytogenetical analysis ofE. dahuricus × E. sibiricus. Contribution No. 27 from the Plant Germ-plasm Institute, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.     

Phylogeography of var gene repertoires reveals fine‐scale geospatial clustering of Plasmodium falciparum populations in a highly endemic area

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a major global health problem that is being targeted for progressive elimination. Knowledge of local disease transmission patterns in endemic countries is critical to these elimination efforts. To investigate fine‐scale patterns of malaria transmission, we have compared repertoires of rapidly evolving var genes in a highly endemic area. A total of 3680 high‐quality DBLα‐sequences were obtained from 68 P. falciparum isolates from ten villages spread over two distinct catchment areas on the north coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Modelling of the extent of var gene diversity in the two parasite populations predicts more than twice as many var gene alleles circulating within each catchment (Mugil = 906; Wosera = 1094) than previously recognized in PNG (Amele = 369). In addition, there were limited levels of var gene sharing between populations, consistent with local parasite population structure. Phylogeographic analyses demonstrate that while neutrally evolving microsatellite markers identified population structure only at the catchment level, var gene repertoires reveal further fine‐scale geospatial clustering of parasite isolates. The clustering of parasite isolates by village in Mugil, but not in Wosera was consistent with the physical and cultural isolation of the human populations in the two catchments. The study highlights the microheterogeneity of P. falciparum transmission in highly endemic areas and demonstrates the potential of var genes as markers of local patterns of parasite population structure.     

Biomass yields,cytogenetics, fertility,and compositional analyses of novel bioenergy grass hybrids (Tripidium spp.)

High biomass yields have been documented for Tripidium spp. (Erianthus spp., Saccharum spp.), but targeted breeding for bioenergy applications has been limited. Advanced, interspecific hybrids between Tripidium ravennae and T. arundinaceum were planted in replicated field plots in 2016. Comparative feedstock evaluations examined biomass yields, cytogenetics, plant fertility, and compositional analyses relative to Miscanthus × giganteus. Dry biomass yields varied as a function of year and accession and increased each year ranging from 3.4 to 10.6, 8.6 to 37.3, and 23.7 to 60.6 Mg/ha for Tripidium hybrids compared to 2.3, 16.2 and 27.9 Mg/ha for M. × giganteus in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. Cytology and cytometry confirmed that Tripidium hybrids were tetraploid with 2n = 4x = 40 (2C genome size = 5.06 pg) and intermediate between T. ravennae with 2n = 2x = 20 (2C genome size = 2.55 pg) and T. arundinaceum with 2n = 6x = 60 (2C genome size = 7.61 pg). Plant fertility characteristics varied considerably with some accessions producing no viable seeds or fewer than that observed for M. × giganteus. Accessions varied significantly for flowering culm number and height and dates of peak anthesis ranging from 14 September to 2 October. Variations in yield and compositional analyses contributed to variations in theoretical ethanol yields ranging from 10,181 to 27,546 L/ha for Tripidium accessions compared to 13,095 L/ha for M. × giganteus. Relative feed value (RFV) indices for winter‐harvested Tripidium accessions varied from 52.8 to 60.0 compared to M. × giganteus with 45.4. RFV for summer‐harvested Tripidium accessions varied from 71.6 to 80.5 compared to M. × giganteus with 61.0. These initial findings for Tripidium hybrids, including high biomass yields, cold hardiness, and desirable traits for multiple markets (e.g., forage, bioenergy, bioproducts), are promising and warrant further development of Tripidium as a temperate bioenergy feedstock.     

Identification and Pathogenicity of Lasiodiplodia Species from Eucalyptus urophylla × grandis,Polyscias balfouriana and Bougainvillea spectabilis in Southern China

Species of Lasiodiplodia are important pathogens of a wide variety of plants covering a wide geographical distribution. These fungi can be associated with different symptoms such as stem cankers, shoot blights, fruit rots, dieback and gummosis. Diseases caused by Lasiodiplodia were surveyed on Eucalyptus urophylla × grandis, Polyscias balfouriana and Bougainvillea spectabilis in a nursery in southern China. Based on morphology characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of ITS rDNA sequences and translation elongation factor 1‐alpha (TEF‐1α) gene regions, four species of Lasiodiplodia were identified. Lasiodiplodia theobromae was identified from E. urophylla × grandis, P. balfouriana and B. spectabilis. L. hormozganensis, L. iraniensis and L. pseudotheobromae were identified from B. spectabilis. To our knowledge, with the exception of L. theobromae on E. urophylla × grandis, this study represents the first report of these fungi on the host plants. Pathogenicity tests showed that all Lasiodiplodia spp. obtained in this study are virulent to E. urophylla × grandis and B. spectabilis, and L. theobromae was virulent to P. balfouriana.     

Genome origin and phylogenetic relationships of Elymus villosus (Triticeae: Poaceae) based on single-copy nuclear Acc1, Pgk1, DMC1 and chloroplast trnL-F sequences

To investigate the genome origin and phylogenetic relationships of Elymus villosus, three single-copy nuclear gene (Acc1, Pgk1 and DMC1) and chloroplast trnL-F gene sequences of two accessions of E. villosus were analyzed with those of eighteen allotetraploids (StH, StY, StP and StE^e genomes) and thirty-five diploid taxa representing eighteen basic genomes in Triticeae. The results revealed that: (1) the genomic constitution of E. villosus is StH as Elymus; (2) North America Pseudoroegneria species served as the maternal donor during the allotetraploid speciation of E. villosus; (3) E. villosus is closely related to North America Elymus species; (4) it is reasonable to recognize the E. villosus as Elymus L. sensu stricto.     

Phylogeny and molecular evolution of the Acc1 gene within the StH genome species in Triticeae (Poaceae)

To estimate the phylogeny and molecular evolution of a single-copy gene encoding plastid acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acc1) within the StH genome species, two Acc1 homoeologous sequences were isolated from nearly all the sampled StH genome species and were analyzed with those from 35 diploid taxa representing 19 basic genomes in Triticeae. Sequence diversity patterns and genealogical analysis suggested that (1) the StH genome species from the same areas or neighboring geographic regions are closely related to each other; (2) the Acc1 gene sequences of the StH genome species from North America and Eurasia are evolutionarily distinct; (3) Dasypyrum has contributed to the nuclear genome of Elymus repens and Elymus mutabilis; (4) the StH genome polyploids have higher levels of sequence diversity in the H genome homoeolog than the St genome homoeolog; and (5) the Acc1 sequence may evolve faster in the polyploid species than in the diploids. Our result provides some insight on evolutionary dynamics of duplicate Acc1 gene, the polyploidy speciation and phylogeny of the StH genome species.     

Nucleotide diversity and minisatellite in chloroplast Asp(GUC)–Thr(GGU) region in Elymus trachycaulus complex, Elymus alaskanus and Elymus caninus

Nucleotide variation in chloroplast Asp(GUC)–Thr(GGU) intergenic region and genetic relationships among this group were examined among Elymus trachycaulus complex, Elymus alaskanus and Elymus caninus. The estimates of nucleotide diversity (π) ranged from 0.00111 for Elymus virescens to 0.03086 for E. caninus. Highest nucleotide diversity was found for E. caninus among the taxa analyzed here and followed by Elymus hyperarcticus. E. virescens accessions are genetically very uniform. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that E. caninus is paraphyletic. Elymus violaceus is genetically distinct from both E. alaskanus and E. trachycaulus. Our result indicates that Asp (GUC)–Thr (GGU) intergenic region has a high rate of evolutionary in Elymus species. Large indels detected in this region appear to have a highly rate of evolution and are thus more prone to homoplasy. We also first reported a minisatellite discovered in Asp (GUC)–Thr (GGU) region in Elymus species. The minisatellite identified here is an excellent candidate marker for studying population structures of Elymus species.     

Identifying the abiotic and biotic drivers behind the elevational distribution shift of a parasitic plant

• Climate change will alter the biotic and abiotic environment and dissipate ecological barriers, reorganising maps of current distribution of parasites and their hosts. In this study, we analyse the population dynamics of the parasitic plant Viscum album subsp. austriacum and explore key biotic (host availability and seed dispersal) as well as abiotic (temperature) factors influencing elevational distribution.
• The study was conducted along an elevational gradient of a Mediterranean mountain, covering the distribution belts of three potential pine hosts: Pinus halepensis (1300–1500 m), P. nigra (1300–1900 m) and P. sylvestris var. nevadensis (1600–2000 m). Along this gradient, we measured multiple variables of mistletoe population (prevalence, abundance and demographic profile) and different factors that might define the current mistletoe distribution (host suitability and availability, temperature and seed dispersal services).
• We found a decline in mistletoe prevalence and abundance with increasing elevation, detecting larger values of both variables at lower elevations of the most suitable host (Pinus nigra). Pinus sylvestris var. nevadensis was a suboptimal but suitable host for the parasite at high elevations. Mistletoe found suitable temperatures and seed dispersal services all along the gradient, being able to recruit at any site.
• With warming temperatures, the presence of suitable vectors for parasite dispersion, and the presence of a sub‐optimal host (P. sylvestris var. nevadensis) at the mountain top, mistletoe currently has a window of opportunity to expand its present geographic distribution to the summits.