Belowground competition can influence the evolution of root traits

Although root traits play a critical role in mediating plant-plant interactions and resource acquisition from the soil environment, research examining if and how belowground competition can influence the evolution of root traits remains largely unexplored. Here we examine the potential that root traits may evolve as a target of selection from interspecific competition using Ipomoea purpurea and I. hederacea, two closely related morning glory species that commonly co-occur in the United States. We show that belowground competitive interactions between the two species can alter the pattern of selection on root traits in each species. Specifically, competition with I. purpurea changes the pattern of selection on root angle in I. hederacea, and competitive interactions with I. hederacea changes the pattern of selection on root size in I. purpurea. However, we did not uncover evidence that intraspecific competition altered the pattern of selection on any root traits within I. hederacea. Overall, our results suggest that belowground competition between closely related species can influence the phenotypic evolution of root traits in natural populations. Our findings provide a microevolutionary perspective of how competitive belowground interactions may impact plant fitness, potentially leading to patterns of plant community structure.

• Publication year

  2019

• Venue

  bioRxiv

• Publication date

  2019-02-18

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1086/707597PMID 32216668
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• Belowground competition between closely related species can influence the phenotypic evolution of root traits in natural populations.

  Confidence 0.90

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• Intraspecific competition does not alter the pattern of selection on root traits within Ipomoea hederacea.

  Confidence 0.95

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• Competition with Ipomoea hederacea changes the pattern of selection on root size in Ipomoea purpurea.

  Confidence 0.97

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• Competition with Ipomoea purpurea changes the pattern of selection on root angle in Ipomoea hederacea.

  Confidence 0.97

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review

• belowground competition

  ecological interaction

  Competition among neighboring plants through interactions below the soil surface, especially over roots and soil resources.

  Aliases: root competition

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• intraspecific competition

  ecological interaction

  Competition among individuals of the same species, considered here within Ipomoea hederacea.

  Aliases: within-species competition

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• ipomoea hederacea

  species

  One of the two closely related morning glory species examined for root-trait selection under competition.

  Aliases: I. hederacea, ivyleaf morning glory

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• ipomoea purpurea

  species

  One of the two morning glory species examined as a focal species and competitor in the study.

  Aliases: I. purpurea, common morning glory

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• phenotypic evolution

  evolutionary process

  Evolutionary change in observable traits across generations, used here to frame possible changes in root traits.

  Aliases: trait evolution

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• root angle

  trait

  The orientation or growth angle of roots in the soil profile.

  Aliases: rooting angle

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• root size

  trait

  The overall size-related dimensions of a plant's root system considered in the analysis.

  Aliases: root system size

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review
• root traits

  trait

  Measurable characteristics of plant roots that vary among individuals and can be subject to selection.

  Aliases: belowground traits

  B (s683577b42) extractionKiller Whale (322360f1c1) reviewAll you need is Python (5d7gwfm5zu) reviewmexicorea (qjvnbu8xg3) review

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