Habitat fragmentation reduces plant progeny quality: a global synthesis
Fecha
2019-05-14
Tipo
artículo original
Autores
Aguilar, Ramiro
Cristóbal Pérez, Edson Jacob
Balvino Olvera, Francisco Javier
Aguilar Aguilar, María de Jesús
Aguirre Acosta, Natalia
Ashworth, Lorena
Lobo Segura, Jorge Arturo
Martén Rodríguez, Silvana
Fuchs Castillo, Eric J.
Sánchez Montoya, Gumersindo
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Resumen
Most of the world’s land surface is currently under human use and natural habitats remain as
fragmented samples of the original landscapes. Measuring the quality of plant progeny sired in
these pervasive environments represents a fundamental endeavour for predicting the evolutionary
potential of plant populations remaining in fragmented habitats and thus their ability to adapt to
changing environments. By means of hierarchical and phylogenetically independent meta-analyses
we reviewed habitat fragmentation effects on the genetic and biological characteristics of progenies
across 179 plant species. Progeny sired in fragmented habitats showed overall genetic erosion
in contrast with progeny sired in continuous habitats, with the exception of plants pollinated by
vertebrates. Similarly, plant progeny in fragmented habitats showed reduced germination, survival
and growth. Habitat fragmentation had stronger negative effects on the progeny vigour of
outcrossing- than mixed-mating plant species, except for vertebrate-pollinated species. Finally, we
observed that increased inbreeding coefficients due to fragmentation correlated negatively with
progeny vigour. Our findings reveal a gloomy future for angiosperms remaining in fragmented
habitats as fewer sired progeny of lower quality may decrease recruitment of plant populations,
thereby increasing their probability of extinction.
Descripción
Palabras clave
Genetic diversity, germination, growth, inbreeding, mating patterns, offspring performance, plant–pollination interactions, progeny vigour, seedling, sexual plant reproduction, survival