Unfavourable habitat conditions can facilitate hybridisation between the endangered Betula humilis and its widespread relatives B. pendula and B. pubescens

• Published in: Plant ecology & diversity Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 295 - 306
• Main Authors: Bona, Agnieszka, Petrova, Galya, Jadwiszczak, Katarzyna A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 04-05-2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: AFLP; Amplified fragment length polymorphism; Betula humilis; Congeners; Genetic analysis; genetic diversity; Groundwater; Groundwater levels; habitat deterioration; Habitats; Hybridization; Hybrids; introgression; marginal populations; Pollen; pollen swamping; Populations; Rare species
• ISSN: 1755-0874; 1755-1668
• DOI: 10.1080/17550874.2018.1518497

Background: Hybridisation can be a threat for the survival of a rare species because, in the case of insufficient numbers of appropriate mates, a rare form is much more likely to cross with a widespread taxon.
Aims: In the present study, we tested hypotheses concerning the level of hybridisation between endangered Betula humilis and its widespread congeners: B. pendula and B. pubescens as a function of habitat conditions.
Methods: We genotyped 312 individuals of three species using AFLP markers. B. humilis specimens were sampled in populations with low and high groundwater levels. Morphological identification of B. pubescens and B. pendula was verified using the Atkinson discriminant function.
Results: Altogether, 15 individuals (4.8%) were indicated as putative hybrids. The B. humilis hybrids were found in dry habitats and they could be classified as F1 or F2 generation. Tree hybrids could represent backcrosses to either B. pendula or B. pubescens.
Conclusions: Genetic analyses contradicted the idea that hybridisation between B. humilis and its close relatives was extensive. On the other hand, the presence of introgressed individuals in the populations in areas with low groundwater levels implied that pollen swamping might be a threat for declining B. humilis stands.