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Canopy Science |
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Community Genetics in Tropical Forest Ecosystems: The association between tree host and epiphyte community
Scientist: Sharon Zytynska
Contact Email: Sharon.Zytynska@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
Institution: University of Manchester, UK
Project Description:
Community genetics explores the relationship between genetic variation and species interactions. In other words, we are interested in how genetic variation within a species affects other species it interacts with. Previous work has shown that genetic variation within two hybridising parental tree species can influence associated communities of plants and animals, in ecosystems with distinct tree genotypes and limited diversity. We expand the work of community genetics by investigating the influence of continuous genetic variation within a single tree species on associated communities in a diverse, complex natural ecosystem – a neotropical rainforest. In a tropical forest ecosystem, trees support a large number of organisms, including epiphytic plants which grow on tree branches high in the canopy. Previous work on epiphyte host preference has shown that epiphyte community structure differs on different tree species. We wanted to determine if genetic variation within a single tree species influences the structure of the epiphytic community. Our work is on Brosimum alicastrum (Breadnut tree), which is a large and common tree around Las Cuevas Research Station. To survey the epiphytic community, we accessed the canopy using double-rope and prusik techniques. Over 2000 orchids and bromeliads were counted and identified into species, on a total of 60 trees. Leaf samples were collected and dried in silica gel for DNA extraction and genetic analysis. Our data showed that the more genetically related trees had the most similar communities of epiphytes on them, whilst controlling for both geographic location and branch area sampled. We demonstrate, for the first time, that within species genetic variation has the ability to influence the interacting ecological community. This has implications on the understanding of evolutionary processes and conservation management of complex natural systems. Future work will focus on other tree species in the same area to determine if this effect is widespread and not just specific to one tree species.
Participants:
Sharon Zytynska, PhD Student, University of Manchester, BCAP graduate.
Richard F. Preziosi, Supervisor, University of Manchester.
Michael F. Fay, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
Waldo Etherington, Research Assistant, BCAP & ACAP graduate.
Adam van Casteren, PhD student, University of Manchester, BCAP graduate
Project Location: Las Cuevas Research Station, in the Chiquibul Forest in Belize
Added Date: 23-Oct-2009
Photo Title: Sampling epiphytes in the canopy
Photo Credits: Waldo Etherington
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