The genetic consequences of habitat specificity for fig trees in southern African fragmented forests

Deng, Jun‐Yin; Noort, Simon van; Compton, Stephen G.; Chen, Yan; Greeff, Jaco M.

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2019.103506

Cited by 9 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 83 publications

(94 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast, genetic structure is higher between populations of two forest specialists (Ficus craterostoma and Ficus bizanae), suggesting an effect of long-term fragmentation (Deng et al, 2020). An isolation by distance pattern showed that although the fig wasps of F. craterostoma are able to transport pollen between nearby forests, distant populations are nonetheless more genetically distinct (Deng et al, 2020). The genetic structuring of F. bizanae populations is particularly high, and this possibly reflects its atypical and dioecious-like fruiting phenotype (Deng et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An isolation by distance pattern showed that although the fig wasps of F. craterostoma are able to transport pollen between nearby forests, distant populations are nonetheless more genetically distinct (Deng et al, 2020). The genetic structuring of F. bizanae populations is particularly high, and this possibly reflects its atypical and dioecious-like fruiting phenotype (Deng et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ficus species are often considered to be keystone species in South African forests (Bleher et al, 2003; but see Compton and Greeff, unpublished results) but this role could be adversely affected by fragmentation (Hoffman, 1997;Lawes et al, 2007). A generalist Ficus species that also occurs in the habitats between these forests (F. sur), shows little differentiation between populations, suggesting fragmentation has a small effect on this species (Deng et al, 2020). In contrast, genetic structure is higher between populations of two forest specialists (Ficus craterostoma and Ficus bizanae), suggesting an effect of long-term fragmentation (Deng et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A generalist Ficus species that also occurs in the habitats between these forests (F. sur), shows little differentiation between populations, suggesting fragmentation has a small effect on this species (Deng et al, 2020). In contrast, genetic structure is higher between populations of two forest specialists (Ficus craterostoma and Ficus bizanae), suggesting an effect of long-term fragmentation (Deng et al, 2020). An isolation by distance pattern showed that although the fig wasps of F. craterostoma are able to transport pollen between nearby forests, distant populations are nonetheless more genetically distinct (Deng et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, by comparing SGS in different age classes, temporal changes in the extent of inter-population pollinator dispersal can also be assessed, though caution with interpretation is required because mortalities can generate similar patterns (Zhou and Chen, 2010;Helsen et al, 2015). Here we augment inter-population findings (Deng et al, 2020) with intra-population SGS analyses to answer the following questions 1) does the extent of fine scale SGS differ between three Ficus species found in Southern African forests? and 2) do different age classes of F. craterostoma vary in the extent of fine scale SGS?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Conservation implications of fine scale population genetic structure of Ficus species in South African forests

Deng

Noort

Compton

et al. 2020

Forest Ecology and Management

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Genetic considerations are rarely applied in forest conservation management strategies, but forest fragmentation can reduce pollen and seed dispersal both between and within isolated fragments. Gene flow and immigration rates determine the extent to which individual plants are related to each other at different distances from themselves. This gradation in relatedness is known as a population's fine scale spatial genetic structure (SGS). Specifically, reduced but clumped immigration from distant fragments reduces fine scale SGS, whereas reduced gene flow within fragments increases fine scale SGS. In addition, non-random mortality caused by post-dispersal ecological processes can also affect SGS. We studied the effects of fragmentation on the fine scale SGS of Ficus species with different habitat preferences and distributional ranges in an archipelago of South African forest patches. Significant fine scale SGS present in all three species suggests gene dispersal is restricted, even within forest fragments, probably due to localised seed dispersal. An endemic forest specialist, F. bizanae, has an unusually high fine scale SGS for a monoecious Ficus.This may be explained by several features that reduce pollen dispersal distances and are more typical of dioecious Ficus. A significant negative kinship coefficient in one F. bizanae population suggests that clumped long-distance immigration may have occurred in the past. Significant fine scale SGS in adult but not juvenile F. craterostoma suggests that recent population fragmentation has negatively affected long-distance immigration. Supplementation of F. craterostoma gene flow would maintain its genetic diversity. In contrast, the limited range of F. bizanae may result from its pollinator's behavior, rather than specific habitat requirements and ensuring its long-term survival may require artificial introductions to other forests.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Conservation implications of fine scale population genetic structure of Ficus species in South African forests

Deng

Noort

Compton

et al. 2020

Forest Ecology and Management

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Avian species functional diversity and habitat use: The role of forest structural attributes and tree diversity in the Midlands Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

Bitani,

Cordier,

Ehlers Smith

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forest transformation has major impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Identifying the influence of forest habitat structure and composition on avian functional communities is important for conserving and managing forest systems. This study investigated the effect of forest structure and composition characteristics on bird species community structure, habitat use and functional diversity in 14 Mistbelt Forest patches of the Midlands of KwaZulu‐Natal in South Africa. We surveyed bird communities using point counts. We quantified bird functional diversity for each forest patch using three diversity indices: functional richness, functional evenness and functional divergence. We further assessed species‐specific responses by focussing on three avian forest specialists, orange ground‐thrush Geokichla gurneyi, forest canary Crithagra scotops and Cape parrot Poicephalus robustus. We found that bird community and forest‐specialist species responses to forest structure and tree species diversity differed. Also, forest structural complexity, canopy cover and tree species richness were the main forest characteristics better at explaining microhabitat influence on bird functional diversity. Forest patches with relatively high structural complexity and tree species richness had higher functional richness. Different structural characteristics influenced habitat use by the three forest specialists. Tree species diversity influenced C. scotops and G. gurneyi positively, while P. robustus responded negatively to forest patches with high tree species richness. Our study showed that site‐scale forest structure and composition characteristics are important for bird species richness and functional richness. Forest patches with high tree species diversity and structural complexity should be maintained to conserve forest specialists, bird species richness and functional richness.

show abstract

Population genetics of an endangered desert shrub endemic to northwestern China

Zhuo,

Jiang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Trees

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The genetic consequences of habitat specificity for fig trees in southern African fragmented forests

Abstract: This is a repository copy of The genetic consequences of habitat specificity for fig trees in southern African fragmented forests.

Cited by 9 publications

References 83 publications

Conservation implications of fine scale population genetic structure of Ficus species in South African forests

Conservation implications of fine scale population genetic structure of Ficus species in South African forests

Avian species functional diversity and habitat use: The role of forest structural attributes and tree diversity in the Midlands Mistbelt Forests of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

Population genetics of an endangered desert shrub endemic to northwestern China

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About