Genetic variables, population features and reproductive success of Gymnocalycium monvillei (Cactaceae) along an altitudinal gradient

BAUK, K.; GURVICH D.E.; LIBER Z.; SATOVIC Z.; LAS PEÑAS M.L.

BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2023

0024-4074

Elevational gradients in mountain environments impose selection pressures that could resultin marked heterogeneity in genetic characteristics, population features and reproductivesuccess. Most Cactaceae occur in arid and semi-arid areas of the American continent, fromsea level to 4500 m a.s.l., and some species have wide elevational ranges. The aim of thiswork was to analyse how cytogenetic features (mitotic chromosomes analysed usingmolecular cytogenetic techniques, DNA content estimated by flow cytometry), AFLPgenetic diversity, population features (population density and individual size) andreproductive success (seeds per plant and fruit production) are related to an elevationalgradient in five sites of Gymnocalycium monvillei located between 878 and 2,230 m a.s.l.Our results showed that the sites at three intermediate elevations have optimal conditions asgreatest genetic diversity, highest population density and highest seed production, whereasextreme sites are characterized by greatest reproductive isolation and highest DNA contentand seed mass. The results suggest that the species has various mechanisms to survivealong elevational gradients.