Characterising the molecular diversity of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) at its western marginal range in Europe — phylogeographic insights and implications for conservation in Ireland

Belton, Samuel; Fox, Erica; Kelleher, Colin T.

doi:10.1007/s11295-022-01567-6

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Only one population (Derrybawn – Glendalough) harboured trees which appear to be of continental origin, although this was mixed. These results are the first to describe the genetic diversity of a native Irish conifer in a European context and complement recent descriptions of the same for several broadleaf species [ 47 , 82 , 119 , 120 ]. This forms part of an inventory of Ireland’s forest genetic resources [ 121 ], which is an important step in determining population selection for both in situ and ex situ forest conservation approaches [ 122 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…More recent genetic evidence also suggests at least some post-LGM migration from Britain into Ireland for downy birch ( Betula pubescens Ehrh.) [ 47 ] and common ash ( Fraxinus excelsior L.) [ 82 ]. This corroborated the direction of travel which had previously been inferred from isochrone maps based on radiocarbon-dated pollen for both species [ 21 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, a null allele model was compared against a model which also includes F IS to describe the data. This procedure is outlined in detail in Belton et al [ 82 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular characterisation of Pinus sylvestris (L.) in Ireland at the western limit of the species distribution

Belton,

Cubry,

Roche

et al. 2024

BMC Ecol Evo

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Background Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) underwent significant population declines across much of northwest Europe during the mid-to-late Holocene and was thought to have become extirpated in Ireland from about 400 AD. However, most extant populations are plantations reintroduced from Scotland. Others are naturalised therefrom and one in Western Ireland is a putative relict. In this paper, Scots pine in Ireland are genetically described for the first time. Results Using two mitochondrial (mtDNA) loci, eight chloroplast (cpSSR) and 18 nuclear (nSSR) loci, the genetic composition and diversity of 19 Irish Scots pine populations is described and compared to other European populations. All trees sampled in Ireland were fixed for mitotype a, which is the most common across northwest Europe. By contrast, cpSSR (HCP = 0.967) and nSSR (He = 0.540) variation was high, and comparable with estimates for other regions across the species range. Differentiation at both sets of loci were similarly low (cpSSR FST = 0.019; nSSR FST = 0.018), but populations from continental Europe were significantly differentiated from all Irish populations based on nSSR variation. Conclusions All Irish Scots pine are likely part of a common Irish-Scottish gene pool which diverged from continental Scots pine following post-glacial recolonisation. A high genetic diversity and an absence of evidence of inbreeding suggests the regional decline of Scots pine did not critically reduce allelic variation. The post-glacial relationship between Irish and Scottish pine is discussed, and a suggestion from recent palaeoecological work that reintroduced Scots pine be managed as a native species is now further supported by genetic data.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular characterisation of Pinus sylvestris (L.) in Ireland at the western limit of the species distribution

Belton,

Cubry,

Roche

et al. 2024

BMC Ecol Evo

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Leaf phenotypic plasticity of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) at its northern range in Dinaric Alps

Vidaković,

Matijašević,

Tumpa

et al. 2024

Acta bot. Croat. (Online)

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The Dinaric Alps have been recognised on numerous occasions as a biodiversity hotspot. They host a variety of species with great importance in sustainable forestry operations and nature conservation. One such species is the European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L., Oleaceae), a broad-leaved, wind-pollinated and wind-dispersed forest tree. In this paper, we aimed to determine the morphological variability of the European ash populations of the northern Dinaric Alps. For this purpose, leaf samples from 10 individuals in seven populations were collected. Morphometric analysis of intra- and interpopulation variability was conducted using 19 morphological leaf traits. We determined great variability of trees within, and small variability among, populations. The variables that best discriminated studied populations were those relating to leaflet shape. Based on these variables, populations were grouped into two clusters. The first cluster encompassed individuals with acute leaflets, found in drier and rockier habitats, whereas the second cluster, defined by more rounded leaflets, was found in mesophilous and nutrient-rich habitats. However, this research revealed no influence of geographical or bioclimatic distances on morphological variability, which indicates that the rockiness and soil are most likely two predominant factors in shaping the phenotypic plasticity of European ash populations. These results are of great significance in the planning of future forest breeding programs, as populations from drier habitats are likely to persist and spread due to their adaptation to water scarcity, which will become more pronounced in the future.

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Characterising the molecular diversity of ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) at its western marginal range in Europe — phylogeographic insights and implications for conservation in Ireland

Cited by 2 publications

References 77 publications

Molecular characterisation of Pinus sylvestris (L.) in Ireland at the western limit of the species distribution

Molecular characterisation of Pinus sylvestris (L.) in Ireland at the western limit of the species distribution

Leaf phenotypic plasticity of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) at its northern range in Dinaric Alps

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