Variation and phenotypic plasticity in life history traits of Spartina alterniflora along the east coast of China

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1003.2008.08108

Abstract

Abstract:

Spartina alterniflora, native to North America, is invasive in salt marshes worldwide. Its geographic distribution in China has expanded to include most eastern coastal areas since it was introduced in 1970s. Genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity are two major strategies in adaptation to varying environments. To investigate the mechanisms of the range expansion of S. alterniflora in China, we collected samples from ten populations on the east coast of China along a latitudinal gradient from Guangdong (22°N) to Tianjin (39°N). We grew plants singly in pots placed in an outdoor garden under either low or high water levels to explore plastic responses to varying elevation in the field. Twelve of 17 traits measured demonstrated considerable variation among populations. In particular, mean date of blossoms and the relative growth rate of height (RGR_H) showed clinal variation with latitude. Our results suggested that Chinese populations of S. alterniflora might have experienced genetic differentiation. Furthermore, 9 of 17 traits showed remarkable plasticity in response to different water levels. S. alterniflora at high water level was more prolific and produced its first ramet earlier. Therefore, the successful invasion of S. alterniflora in China might have resulted from both genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity. The former might have facilitated its rapid range expansion on a regional scale, and the latter might have played an important role in local adaptations to habitats along an elevational gradient.

Key words: phenotypic plasticity, Spartina alterniflora, water level, genetic differentiation

Yimo Zhang, Qing Wang, Meng Lu, Xin Jia, Yupeng Geng, Bo Li. Variation and phenotypic plasticity in life history traits of Spartina alterniflora along the east coast of China[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2008, 16(5): 462-469.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1003.2008.08108

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2008/V16/I5/462

Figures/Tables 5

Table 1 Localities of 10 Spartina alterniflora populations

种群代码 Population code	采样地点 Locality	地理坐标 Location
1 ZH	广东珠海 Zhuhai, Guangdong	22°26′N, 113°39′E
2 XM	福建厦门 Xiamen, Fujian	24°28′N, 117°58′E
3 ND	福建宁德 Ningde, Fujian	26°37′N, 119°37′E
4 WL	浙江台州 Taizhou, Zhejiang	28°21′N, 121°37′E
5 NH	上海南汇 Nanhui, Shanghai	30°51′N, 121°51′E
6 CM	上海崇明 Chongming, Shanghai	31°31′N, 121°58′E
7 DF	江苏盐城 Yancheng, Jiangsu	33°16′N, 120°45′E
8 GY	江苏连云港 Lianyungang, Jiangsu	34°47′N, 119°13′E
9 LZ	山东莱州 Laizhou, Shandong	37°13′N, 119°51′E
10 TJ	天津塘沽 Tanggu, Tianjin	39°00′N, 117°43′E

Fig. 1 Distribution of 10 Spartina alterniflora populations sampled in China

Table 2 Summary of two-way ANOVA for testing interclonal variation, effects of water level, and their interactions on 17 traits of Spartina alterniflora

Fig. 2 Effects of latitude on days to blooming of S. alterniflora populations (a), and relative growth rate (RGRH) at high (open circles) and low (filled circles) water levels (b)

Fig. 3 The effects of water levels on the means (six replicates) of nine life history traits of Spartina alterniflora. Vertical bars represent the standard errors of the means across six replicates.

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