General vs. local differentiation between two closely related white oak species

The geographical distribution of species differentiation throughout the natural range of two sympatric, closely related species of oaks, Quercus petraea (Matt) Liebl. and Quercus robur L., was investigated. By sampling species in pairs in different European regions, from Spain to Poland and Romania, the differentiation between the two species could be subdivided into general and local differentiation. Nine sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers corresponding to genomic regions which discriminate the two species were analysed using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) or classical electrophoresis (double-stranded DNA on agarose gel) on PCR products providing, respectively, codominant and dominant markers. Similar levels of gene diversity ( H _E) within the two species were observed, varying generally from 0.3 to 0.5 for dominant markers and from 0.5 to 0.86 for codominant markers. SSCP loci exhibited numerous alleles that were differently involved in species differentiation. The geographical distribution of species differentiation is heterogeneous between the regions, the north-east populations exhibiting higher differentiation than the others. For most loci, general differentiation was higher than local differentiation and was interpreted as the result of historical causes, selection pressures, and intra- and interspecific gene flow.     

Woodland on the western fringe: Irish oak wood diversity and the challenges of conservation

Summary

Irish oakwoods are sparsely distributed and generally small in extent. The woodland flora is depauperate compared to Great Britain in terms of flowering plants but quite rich in Oceanic ferns, bryophytes and lichens. It includes a few distinctive species, e.g. the Mediterranean-Atlantic Arbutus unedo. Remnants of ancient woodland survive at scattered locations; they usually contain old coppice stools, or occasionally pollards. Variation in the woodland plant community reflects an edaphic gradient from strongly acid to base-rich, a hydrological gradient from well-drained to waterlogged and a climatic gradient in degree of Oceanicity. The greatest conservation problems facing Irish oak-woods are overgrazing and invasive alien species, chiefly Rhododendron ponticum; to tackle these effectively, greater public concern is required.     

An evaluation of standard oak tree growth in Ruislip woods, West London

Tree-ring studies on dominant and co-dominant oak standards from four woodlands on the western fringes of London were studied in relation to known historical and meteorological conditions. Whilst previous studies suggested a decline in oak growth in recent decades, this was not apparent from this study. Major recruitment periods for the large oaks were determined. The sites had differing responses to known drought years. Coppicing of the undergrowth was found not to greatly influence the growth of the remaining standard trees on all occasions, although one woodland showed some growth release following recent coppicing. Records of lichens for each woodland were used to assess changing pollution levels at the sites.     

Morphological and molecular diversity among Italian populations of Quercus petraea (Fagaceae)

Quercus petraea (sessile oak) has a scattered distribution in southern and central Italy. The objective of this work was to evaluate the level and distribution of diversity in five Italian populations of Q. petraea by using morphological markers and hypervariable molecular markers such as microsatellites. Forty-eight morphological traits and six nuclear and three plastid loci were scored for each population. Evidence for differentiation in both sets of traits was found, but patterns of differentiation of morphological traits did not coincide with microsatellite differentiation. Morphological variation was correlated with ecological conditions at the site of origin. Analysis of molecular variance revealed significant genetic variation among populations (P < 0.001), both at the nuclear and plastid levels. There was a slight, but significant, correlation between nuclear genetic distance and geographic distance. The relatively high genetic diversity in the populations analysed indicates that the maintenance of their evolutionary potential is possible if population sizes are maintained or increased. Low levels of haplotype diversity found within the small southernmost population (Piano Costantino) indicates that genetic erosion may increase the extinction risk for this population.     

High nuclear genetic diversity, high levels of outcrossing and low differentiation among remnant populations of Quercus petraea at the margin of its range in Ireland

• Background and Aims Quercus petraea colonized Irelandafter the last glaciation from refugia on mainland Europe. Deforestation,however, beginning in Neolithic times, has resulted in small,scattered forest fragments, now covering less than 12 000 ha. • Methods Plastid (three fragments) and microsatellitevariation (13 loci) were characterized in seven Irish populationssampled along a north–south gradient. Using Bayesian approachesand Wright’s F-statistics, the effects of colonizationand fragmentation on the genetic structure and mating patternsof extant oak populations were investigated. • Key Results All populations possessed cytotypes commonto the Iberian Peninsula. Despite the distance from the refugialcore and the extensive deforestation in Ireland, nuclear geneticvariation was high and comparable to mainland Europe. Low populationdifferentiation was observed within Ireland and populationsshowed no evidence for isolation by distance. As expected ofa marker with an effective population size of one-quarter relativeto the nuclear genome, plastid variation indicated higher differentiation.Individual inbreeding coefficients indicated high levels ofoutcrossing. • Conclusions Consistent with a large effective populationsize in the historical migrant gene pool and/or with high geneflow among populations, high within-population diversity andlow population differentiation was observed within Ireland.It is proposed that native Q. petraea populations in Irelandshare a common phylogeographic history and that the presentgenetic structure does not reflect founder effects.     

Species distinction in Irish populations of Quercus petraea and Q. robur: morphological versus molecular analyses

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Populations of oak (Quercus petraea and Q. robur) were investigated using morphological and molecular (AFLP) analyses to assess species distinction. The study aimed to describe species distinction in Irish oak populations and to situate this in a European context. METHODS: Populations were sampled from across the range of the island of Ireland. Leaf morphological characters were analysed through clustering and ordination methods. Putative neutral molecular markers (AFLPs) were used to analyse the molecular variation. Cluster and ordination analyses were also performed on the AFLP markers in addition to calculations of genetic diversity and F-statisitcs. KEY RESULTS: A notable divergence was uncovered between the morphological and molecular analyses. The morphological analysis clearly differentiated individuals into their respective species, whereas the molecular analysis did not. Twenty species-specific AFLP markers were observed from 123 plants in 24 populations but none of these was species-diagnostic. Principal Coordinate Analysis of the AFLP data revealed a clustering, across the first two axes, of individuals according to population rather than according to species. High F(ST) values calculated from AFLP markers also indicated population differentiation (F(ST) = 0.271). Species differentiation accounted for only 13 % of the variation in diversity compared with population differentiation, which accounted for 27 %. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that neutral molecular variation is partitioned more strongly between populations than between species. Although this could indicate that the populations of Q. petraea and Q. robur studied may not be distinct species at a molecular level, it is proposed that the difficulty in distinguishing the species in Irish oak populations using AFLP markers is due to population differentiation masking species differences. This could result from non-random mating in small, fragmented woodland populations. Hybridization and introgression between the species could also have a significant role.     

Process-based modelling of isoprene emission by oak leaves

The emission rate of the volatile reactive compound isoprene, emitted predominantly by trees, must be known before the level of photo‐oxidants produced during summer smog can be predicted reliably. The emission is dependent on plant species and local conditions, and these dependencies must be quantified to be included in any empirical algorithm for the calculation of isoprene production. Experimental measurements of isoprene emission rates are expensive, however, and existing data are scarce and fragmentary. To overcome these difficulties, it is promising to develop a numerical model capable of precisely calculating the isoprene emission by trees for diverse ecosystems, even under changing environmental conditions. A basic process‐based biochemical isoprene emission model (BIM) has therefore been developed, which describes the enzymatic reactions in leaf chloroplasts leading to the formation of isoprene under varying environmental conditions (e.g. light intensity, temperature). Concentrations of the precursors of isoprene formation, 3‐phosphoglyceric acid and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate, are provided by a published light fleck photosynthesis model. Specific leaf and enzyme parameters were determined for the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), so that the BIM is capable of calculating oak‐specific isoprene emission rates as influenced by the leaf temperature and light intensity. High correlation was observed between isoprene emission rates calculated by the BIM and the diurnal isoprene emission rates of leaves measured under controlled environmental conditions. The BIM was even capable of describing changes in isoprene emission caused by midday depression of net photosynthesis.     

Genetic variation at allozyme and RAPD loci in sessile oak Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.: the role of history and geography

The nuclear genetic variation within and among 21 populations of sessile oak was estimated at 31 RAPD loci in conjunction with previous estimates of variation at eight allozyme loci. The aim of the study was to assess the relative role of isolation-by-distance and postglacial history on patterns of nuclear variation. Because of its small effective population size and maternal transmission, the chloroplast genome is a good marker of population history. Both kinds of nuclear variation (RAPD and allozyme) were therefore compared, first, to the geographical distances among populations and, secondly, to chloroplast DNA restriction polymorphism in the same populations. Multiple Mantel tests were used for this purpose. Although RAPDs revealed less genetic diversity than allozymes, levels of genetic differentiation ( G _ST) were identical. The standard genetic distance calculated at all RAPD loci was correlated with geographical distances but not with the genetic distance calculated from chloroplast DNA data. Conversely, allozyme variation was correlated with chloroplast DNA variation, but not with geography. Possibly, divergent selection at two allozyme loci during the glacial period could explain this pattern. Because of its greater number of loci assayed, RAPDs probably provided a less biased picture of the relative role of geography and history.     

Role of micromorphological leaf traits and molecular data in taxonomy of three sympatric white oak species and their hybrids (Quercus L.)

Hybridisation and introgression occur with high frequency in the genus Quercus and interspecific hybrid individuals show patterns of morphological traits that might be influenced in different ways. Micromorphological leaf traits appear to be positive and stable in Quercus species, and by combining genetic and micromorphological analyses, it is possible to compare the patterns of variation in micromorphological leaf traits of pure and hybrid individuals. Trichomes and stomatal traits were examined using scanning electron microscopy at 150–2000 × magnification in sympatric oak species collected in a natural deciduous wood. Q. frainetto, Q. petraea and Q. pubescens appear to have a relatively predictable complement of trichome types. Both the pattern and quantitative values of each micromorphological trait examined (stomata and trichomes) have an important role in identifying hybrids and pure species; putative hybrids show a pattern of trichomes that is a combination of the parental types. These results, combined with the fact that micromorphological traits generally exhibit higher consistency, indicate that this source of information can be an excellent clue to hybridisation and introgression and useful in taxonomical, systematic and evolutionary studies on the European white oaks.     

Opposing effects of spring defoliation on late season oak caterpillars

ABSTRACT. 1. The pedunculate oak, Quercus rohur L., suffers high annual levels of spring defoliation in Wytham Woods. near Oxford.
2. This spring defoliation affects late season caterpillars through a variety of damage-induced changes in the leaves.
3. Diurnea fagella (D. & S.), one of the commonest late season caterpillars, shows reduced larval survival and pupal weight on regrowth foliage when compared to undamaged primary foliage.
4. D. fagella also suffer higher larval mortality on naturally damaged primary foliage than they do on undamaged foliage.
5. Despite this, the three commonest late season caterpillar species are more abundant on damaged trees than undamaged ones. and their distributions are biased towards damaged leaves within the canopy.
6. Other factors that may be more important than leaf damage in determining the distribution and abundance of late season caterpillars are discussed. D.fagella larvae spin their larval refuges more rapidly on damaged than undamaged foliage, and this may reduce mortality by natural enemies, or ameliorate adverse effects of weather.     

Differential activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase in seedlings and in vitro micropropagated oak (Quercus robur L.)

 Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity profiles were examined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in different tissues of seedlings and microcuttings of oak (Quercus robur L.) initiated from crown material (NL100A) and from basal epicormic shoots (NL100R), which differ in rooting ability. Two CAT isoforms were differentially active in seedlings and microcuttings; in particular, CAT-2 was activated in the basal callus of rooted microshoots. SOD isoenzymes, Mn-SOD and at least four Cu/Zn-SODs were found to be present, with Mn-SODs particularly active in microcuttings. No differences were found between the electrophoretic profiles of the two lines despite their different ontogenetic origin. The strong activity of CAT-2 in rooted microshoots indicates that this isoform is a protein specifically related to rooting. Received: 21 February 2000 / Revision received: 18 October 2000 / Accepted: 18 October 2000     

Climate change impacts on tree ranges: model intercomparison facilitates understanding and quantification of uncertainty

Model-based projections of shifts in tree species range due to climate change are becoming an important decision support tool for forest management. However, poorly evaluated sources of uncertainty require more scrutiny before relying heavily on models for decision-making. We evaluated uncertainty arising from differences in model formulations of tree response to climate change based on a rigorous intercomparison of projections of tree distributions in France. We compared eight models ranging from niche-based to process-based models. On average, models project large range contractions of temperate tree species in lowlands due to climate change. There was substantial disagreement between models for temperate broadleaf deciduous tree species, but differences in the capacity of models to account for rising CO(2) impacts explained much of the disagreement. There was good quantitative agreement among models concerning the range contractions for Scots pine. For the dominant Mediterranean tree species, Holm oak, all models foresee substantial range expansion.     

Origin of spatial genetic structure in an expanding oak population

Spatial genetic structure (SGS) results from the interplay of several demographical processes that are difficult to tease apart. In this study, we explore the specific effects of seed and pollen dispersal and of early postdispersal mortality on the SGS of a seedling cohort (N = 786) recruiting within and around an expanding pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) stand. Using data on dispersal (derived from parentage analysis) and mortality (monitored in the field through two growing seasons), we decompose the overall SGS of the cohort into its components by contrasting the SGS of dispersed (i.e. growing away from their mother tree) vs. nondispersed (i.e. growing beneath their mother tree) and initial vs. surviving seedlings. Patterns differ strongly between nondispersed and dispersed seedlings. Nondispersed seedlings are largely responsible for the positive kinship values observed at short distances in the studied population, whereas dispersed seedlings determine the overall SGS at distances beyond c. 30 m. The paternal alleles of nondispersed seedlings show weak yet significantly positive kinships up to c. 15 m, indicating some limitations in pollen flow that should further promote pedigree structures at short distances. Seedling mortality does not alter SGS, except for a slight increase in the nondispersed group. Field data reveal that mortality in this group is negatively density‐dependent, probably because of small‐scale variation in light conditions. Finally, we observe a remarkable similarity between the SGS of the dispersed seedlings and that of the adults, which probably reflects dispersal processes during the initial expansion of the population. Overall, this study demonstrates that incorporating individual‐level complementary information into analyses can greatly improve the detail and confidence of ecological inferences drawn from SGS.     

Adaptive responses for seed and leaf phenology in natural populations of sessile oak along an altitudinal gradient

We assessed the adaptive potential of seed and leaf phenology in 10 natural populations of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) sampled along two altitudinal transects using common garden experiments. Population differentiation for both phenological traits was observed with high-altitude populations germinating and flushing later than low altitude ones. However, high genetic variation and heritability values were also maintained within populations, despite slightly decreasing for dates of leaf unfolding with increasing altitude. We suggest that biotic and abiotic fluctuating selection pressures within populations and high gene flow are the main mechanisms maintaining high genetic variation for these fitness related traits. Moreover, changes in selection intensity and/or selection pressures along the altitudinal gradient can explain the reduction in genetic variation observed for leaf phenology. We anticipate that the maintenance of high genetic variation will be a valuable resource for future adaptation of sessile oak populations undergoing an upslope shift caused by climate change.