BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Consistent abiotic factors can affect directional selection; cyclones are abiotic phenomena with near-discrete geographic limits. The current study investigates selective pressure of cyclones on plants at the species level, testing for possible natural selection. METHODS: New World Arecaceae (palms) are used as a model system, as plants with monopodial, unbranched arborescent form are most directly affected by the selective pressure of wind load. Living specimens of known provenance grown at a common site were affected by the same cyclone. Data on percentage mortality were compiled and analysed in biogeographic and phylogenetic contexts. KEY RESULTS: Palms of cyclone-prone provenance exhibited a much lower (one order of magnitude) range in cyclone tolerance, and significantly lower (P < 0.001) mean percentage mortality than collections from cyclone-free areas. Palms of cyclone-free provenance had much greater variation in tolerance, and significantly greater mean percentage mortality. A test for serial independence recovered no significant phylogenetic autocorrelation of percentage mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in cyclone tolerance in New World Arecaceae correlates with biogeography, and is not confounded with phylogeny. These results suggest natural selection of cyclone tolerance in cyclone-prone areas.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Consistent abiotic factors can affect directional selection; cyclones are abiotic phenomena with near-discrete geographic limits. The current study investigates selective pressure of cyclones on plants at the species level, testing for possible natural selection. METHODS: New World Arecaceae (palms) are used as a model system, as plants with monopodial, unbranched arborescent form are most directly affected by the selective pressure of wind load. Living specimens of known provenance grown at a common site were affected by the same cyclone. Data on percentage mortality were compiled and analysed in biogeographic and phylogenetic contexts. KEY RESULTS: Palms of cyclone-prone provenance exhibited a much lower (one order of magnitude) range in cyclone tolerance, and significantly lower (P < 0.001) mean percentage mortality than collections from cyclone-free areas. Palms of cyclone-free provenance had much greater variation in tolerance, and significantly greater mean percentage mortality. A test for serial independence recovered no significant phylogenetic autocorrelation of percentage mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in cyclone tolerance in New World Arecaceae correlates with biogeography, and is not confounded with phylogeny. These results suggest natural selection of cyclone tolerance in cyclone-prone areas.
Authors: Dana L Miller; Claudia I Mora; Henri D Grissino-Mayer; Cary J Mock; Maria E Uhle; Zachary Sharp Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2006-09-19 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Johan Nyberg; Björn A Malmgren; Amos Winter; Mark R Jury; K Halimeda Kilbourne; Terrence M Quinn Journal: Nature Date: 2007-06-07 Impact factor: 49.962
Authors: David Y P Tng; Deborah M G Apgaua; Mason J Campbell; Casey J Cox; Darren M Crayn; Françoise Y Ishida; Melinda J Laidlaw; Michael J Liddell; Michael Seager; Susan G W Laurance Journal: Biodivers Data J Date: 2016-02-24