Genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass Leptochloa crinita (formerly Trichloris crinita) and implications for restoration
Amphitropical species have disjunct distributions south and north of the equator. That is the case of Leptochloa crinita, a perennial grass found in dry and warm regions of South and North America, and recommended for rangeland restoration. We analyzed to what degree the distribution of the species...
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| Format: | info:ar-repo/semantics/artículo |
| Language: | Inglés |
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Asociación Argentina de Ecología
2025
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/23655 https://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/article/view/2509 https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.25.35.2.0.2509 |
| _version_ | 1855038795934597120 |
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| author | Quiroga, Raul Emiliano Mathiasen, Paula Quiroga, M. Paula Fernandez, Roberto J. Díaz, Dayana G. Premoli, Andrea Cecilia |
| author_browse | Díaz, Dayana G. Fernandez, Roberto J. Mathiasen, Paula Premoli, Andrea Cecilia Quiroga, M. Paula Quiroga, Raul Emiliano |
| author_facet | Quiroga, Raul Emiliano Mathiasen, Paula Quiroga, M. Paula Fernandez, Roberto J. Díaz, Dayana G. Premoli, Andrea Cecilia |
| author_sort | Quiroga, Raul Emiliano |
| collection | INTA Digital |
| description | Amphitropical species have disjunct distributions south and north of the equator. That is the case of Leptochloa crinita, a perennial grass found in dry and warm regions of South and North America, and recommended for rangeland restoration. We analyzed to what degree the distribution of the species in both subcontinents shaped its genetic differentiation and population variability. We collected seeds from 15 populations from South America and 7 from North America, and grew them in a common garden to evaluate adaptive variation. Three microsatellite markers and DNA sequences from one nuclear (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and one chloroplast region (rpl32-trnL) were used to analyze recent and historical gene flow, respectively. We used climatic niche models to infer past suitable habitats. We found significant genetic variability among populations within each subcontinent, but low genetic differences between populations from South vs. North America; these were detected only with microsatellites and not with DNA sequences. Results show that the species has diverged from a common gene pool in the recent past (~500-3300 generations ago [estimate: ~3000-20000 years]). Populations from South America had plants with more and taller inflorescences, more tillers and heavier seeds than the North American ones, which could represent adaptations to the less stressful environments that the species inhabits in South America. Climatic niche models indicate few potential habitats for the species in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum and Middle Holocene, in contrast to South America, where potential habitats seemed to be comparable or more extensive than at present. This and previous studies provide a view of the genetic resources of the species. Results suggest that —if necessary, and taking proper
precautions— the admixture of L. crinita populations or the germplasm translocation between subcontinents are alternatives to consider in restoration practices. |
| format | info:ar-repo/semantics/artículo |
| id | INTA23655 |
| institution | Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA -Argentina) |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Asociación Argentina de Ecología |
| publisherStr | Asociación Argentina de Ecología |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | INTA236552025-09-02T13:20:30Z Genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass Leptochloa crinita (formerly Trichloris crinita) and implications for restoration Estructura y diversidad genética en la gramínea disyunta anfitropical Leptochloa crinita (ex Trichloris crinita) e implicancias para la restauración Quiroga, Raul Emiliano Mathiasen, Paula Quiroga, M. Paula Fernandez, Roberto J. Díaz, Dayana G. Premoli, Andrea Cecilia Leptochloa Genetic Structures DNA Sequences Microsatellites Genetic Variation Estructura Genética Secuencia de ADN Microsatélites Variación Genética Leptochloa crinita Trichloris crinita Amphitropical species have disjunct distributions south and north of the equator. That is the case of Leptochloa crinita, a perennial grass found in dry and warm regions of South and North America, and recommended for rangeland restoration. We analyzed to what degree the distribution of the species in both subcontinents shaped its genetic differentiation and population variability. We collected seeds from 15 populations from South America and 7 from North America, and grew them in a common garden to evaluate adaptive variation. Three microsatellite markers and DNA sequences from one nuclear (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and one chloroplast region (rpl32-trnL) were used to analyze recent and historical gene flow, respectively. We used climatic niche models to infer past suitable habitats. We found significant genetic variability among populations within each subcontinent, but low genetic differences between populations from South vs. North America; these were detected only with microsatellites and not with DNA sequences. Results show that the species has diverged from a common gene pool in the recent past (~500-3300 generations ago [estimate: ~3000-20000 years]). Populations from South America had plants with more and taller inflorescences, more tillers and heavier seeds than the North American ones, which could represent adaptations to the less stressful environments that the species inhabits in South America. Climatic niche models indicate few potential habitats for the species in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum and Middle Holocene, in contrast to South America, where potential habitats seemed to be comparable or more extensive than at present. This and previous studies provide a view of the genetic resources of the species. Results suggest that —if necessary, and taking proper precautions— the admixture of L. crinita populations or the germplasm translocation between subcontinents are alternatives to consider in restoration practices. Las especies con distribución disyunta anfitropical se encuentran al sur y al norte del ecuador. Este es el caso de Leptochloa crinita, gramínea perenne que habita regiones secas y cálidas de Sudamérica y Norteamérica, que es recomendada para la restauración de pastizales. Se analizó en qué medida la diferenciación y la variabilidad genética de las poblaciones de L. crinita están influenciadas por su patrón de distribución en ambos subcontinentes. Se colectaron 15 poblaciones de Sudamérica y 7 de Norteamérica, cuyo potencial adaptativo fue evaluado en jardín común. Tres marcadores microsatélites y secuencias de ADN (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, región nuclear; rpl32-trnL, región del cloroplasto) se utilizaron para analizar señales contemporáneas e históricas de flujo génico, respectivamente. Se usaron modelos de nicho climático para inferir la distribución de hábitats favorables en el pasado. Solo con microsatélites se encontró variabilidad genética significativa entre las poblaciones dentro de cada subcontinente, y escasa diferenciación entre poblaciones de Sudamérica y Norteamérica. La especie habría divergido en el pasado reciente a partir de un acervo genético común (hace ~500-3300 generaciones [estimación: ~3000-20000 años]). Las poblaciones sudamericanas presentaron plantas con inflorescencias más altas y numerosas, más macollos y semillas más pesadas que las norteamericanas; estas podrían representar adaptaciones a los ambientes menos estresantes que la especie habita en Sudamérica. Los modelos de nicho climático mostraron escasa disponibilidad de hábitats favorables para la especie en Norteamérica durante el Último Máximo Glacial y el Holoceno Medio. En cambio, en Sudamérica, la disponibilidad de hábitats parece haber sido similar o mayor a la de la actualidad. Estos conocimientos sobre L. crinita brindan una visión general de los recursos genéticos de la especie. Los resultados sugieren que, de ser necesario, y con las precauciones del caso, se podrían usan como prácticas de restauración la mezcla de poblaciones y la traslocación de germoplasma entre subcontinentes. EEA Catamarca Fil: Quiroga, Raul Emiliano. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Catamarca; Argentina Fil: Mathiasen, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Mathiasen, Paula. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Quiroga, M. Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Quiroga, M. Paula. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Fernandez, Roberto J. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de investigación Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculado a la Agricultura; Argentina Fil: Fernandez, Roberto J. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de investigación Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculado a la Agricultura; Argentina. Fil: Fernandez, Roberto J. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Cátedra de Ecología; Argentina Fil: Díaz, Dayana G. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Díaz, Dayana G. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Premoli, Andrea Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Premoli, Andrea Cecilia. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente; Argentina 2025-09-02T13:14:53Z 2025-09-02T13:14:53Z 2025-08 info:ar-repo/semantics/artículo info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/23655 https://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/article/view/2509 0327-5477 1667-782X https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.25.35.2.0.2509 eng info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) application/pdf Asociación Argentina de Ecología Ecología Austral 35 (2) : 251-268. (agosto 2025) |
| spellingShingle | Leptochloa Genetic Structures DNA Sequences Microsatellites Genetic Variation Estructura Genética Secuencia de ADN Microsatélites Variación Genética Leptochloa crinita Trichloris crinita Quiroga, Raul Emiliano Mathiasen, Paula Quiroga, M. Paula Fernandez, Roberto J. Díaz, Dayana G. Premoli, Andrea Cecilia Genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass Leptochloa crinita (formerly Trichloris crinita) and implications for restoration |
| title | Genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass Leptochloa crinita (formerly Trichloris crinita) and implications for restoration |
| title_full | Genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass Leptochloa crinita (formerly Trichloris crinita) and implications for restoration |
| title_fullStr | Genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass Leptochloa crinita (formerly Trichloris crinita) and implications for restoration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass Leptochloa crinita (formerly Trichloris crinita) and implications for restoration |
| title_short | Genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass Leptochloa crinita (formerly Trichloris crinita) and implications for restoration |
| title_sort | genetic structure and diversity of the amphitropical disjunct grass leptochloa crinita formerly trichloris crinita and implications for restoration |
| topic | Leptochloa Genetic Structures DNA Sequences Microsatellites Genetic Variation Estructura Genética Secuencia de ADN Microsatélites Variación Genética Leptochloa crinita Trichloris crinita |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/23655 https://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/article/view/2509 https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.25.35.2.0.2509 |
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