Article (Scientific journals)
Highlighting convergent evolution in morphological traits in response to climatic gradient in African tropical tree species: The case of genus Guibourtia Benn.
Tosso, Dji-ndé Félicien; Doucet, Jean-Louis; Daïnou, Kasso et al.
2019In Ecology and Evolution
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Keywords :
Evolutionary ecology; Guibourtia; Niche comparison; Phenotypic adaptation; Phylogenetic Independent Contrast; Speciation; Phylogenetic signal; Taxonomy
Abstract :
[en] Adaptive evolution is a major driver of organism diversification, but the links between phenotypic traits and environmental niche remain little documented in tropical trees. Moreover, trait-niche relationships are complex because a correlation between the traits and environmental niches displayed by a sample of species may result from (a) convergent evolution if different environmental conditions have selected different sets of traits, and/or (b) phylogenetic inertia if niche and morphological differences between species are simply function of their phylogenetic divergence, in which case the trait-niche correlation does not imply any direct causal link. Here, we aim to assess the respective roles of phylogenetic inertia and convergent evolution in shaping the differences of botanical traits and environmental niches among congeneric African tree species that evolved in different biomes. This issue was addressed with the tree genus Guibourtia Benn. (Leguminosae and Detarioideae), which contains 13 African species occupying various forest habitat types, from rain forest to dry woodlands, with different climate and soil conditions. To this end, we combined morphological data with ecological niche modelling and used a highly resolved plastid phylogeny of the 13 African Guibourtia species. First, we demonstrated phylogenetic signals in both morphological traits (Mantel test between phylogenetic and morphological distances between species: r =.24, p =.031) and environmental niches (Mantel test between phylogenetic and niche distances between species: r =.23, p =.025). Second, we found a significant correlation between morphology and niche, at least between some of their respective dimensions (Mantel's r =.32, p =.013), even after accounting for phylogenetic inertia (Phylogenetic Independent Contrast: r =.69, p =.018). This correlation occurred between some leaflet and flower traits and solar radiation, relative humidity, precipitations, and temperature range. Our results demonstrate the convergent evolution of some morphological traits in response to climatic factors in congeneric tree species and highlight the action of selective forces, along with neutral ones, in shaping the divergence between congeneric tropical plants. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Tosso, Dji-ndé Félicien ;  Forest is Life, TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
Doucet, Jean-Louis ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Laboratoire de Foresterie des régions trop. et subtropicales
Daïnou, Kasso  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Laboratoire de Foresterie des régions trop. et subtropicales
Fayolle, Adeline  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Hambuckers, Alain  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Biologie du comportement - Ethologie et psychologie animale
Doumenge, Charles;  Herbarium, Botanic Garden Meise, Meise, Belgium
Agbazahou, Honoré
Stoffelen, Piet
Hardy, Olivier J.
Language :
English
Title :
Highlighting convergent evolution in morphological traits in response to climatic gradient in African tropical tree species: The case of genus Guibourtia Benn.
Publication date :
2019
Journal title :
Ecology and Evolution
eISSN :
2045-7758
Publisher :
Wiley, Oxford, United Kingdom
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Name of the research project :
DynAfFor
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture [BE]
FFEM - Fonds Français pour l'Environnement Mondial [FR]
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