Contrasting levels of β-diversity and underlying phylogenetic trends indicate different paths to chemical diversity in highland and lowland willow species



: Volf Martin, Leong Jing Vir, Ferreira Paola de Lima, Volfová Tereza, Kozel Petr, Matos-Maraví Pável, Hörandl Elvira, Wagner Natascha D., Luntamo Niko, Salminen Juha-Pekka, Segar Simon T., Sedio Brian E.

Publisher: WILEY

: 2023

: Ecology Letters

: ECOLOGY LETTERS

: ECOL LETT

: 13

: 1461-023X

: 1461-0248

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14273

: https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14273

: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/180531277


Diverse specialised metabolites contributed to the success of vascular plants in colonising most terrestrial habitats. Understanding how distinct aspects of chemical diversity arise through heterogeneous environmental pressures can help us understand the effects of abiotic and biotic stress on plant evolution and community assembly. We examined highland and lowland willow species within a phylogenetic framework to test for trends in their chemical & alpha;-diversity (richness) and & beta;-diversity (variation among species sympatric in elevation). We show that differences in chemistry among willows growing at different elevations occur mainly through shifts in chemical & beta;-diversity and due to convergence or divergence among species sharing their elevation level. We also detect contrasting phylogenetic trends in concentration and & alpha;-diversity of metabolites in highland and lowland willow species. The resulting elevational patterns contribute to the chemical diversity of willows and suggest that variable selective pressure across ecological gradients may, more generally, underpin complex changes in plant chemistry.

Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 12:19