CRB: Collaborative: The Importance of Hybridization in the Evolution and Ecology of Carpobrotus Species in California

小行星9322795 生物入侵的广泛发生提供了研究种群动态和遗传变化以及这些变化的生态影响的机会。鉴于世界物种和生境日益混合和同质化，这种变化是重要的。这项研究将解决遗传变化的进化和生态学的重要性，这两个密切相关的植物物种最近接触，由于人类活动之间的杂交。Carpobrotus edulis是一种侵略性的南非多年生植物，于20世纪初引入加州，在那里它入侵沿海沙丘，草地和灌木栖息地。在引入C. chilensis之前，Carpobrotus chilensis是一种不太具有攻击性的物种，在整个加州都很常见。美味。它对本地沙丘物种的竞争压力很小。在这项研究中，研究人员将联合收割机遗传技术和田间试验相结合，以确定这些物种之间发生杂交的程度，并检查杂交和渐渗对成功建立和入侵的重要形态，生态和适合度特征的影响。此外，杂交的一些社区层面的后果将被确定。 这些物种的历史分离提供了一个理想的系统，在其中测量基因流和相应的变化，在健身和生态适应。这项研究的结果将有助于了解杂交对本地物种的遗传完整性和本地生态系统的保护的影响。

9322795 D'Antonio The widespread occurrence of biological invasions offers the opportunity to study changes in the dynamics and genetics of populations and the ecological effects of those changes. Such changes are important in light of the increasing mixing and homogenization of the world's species and habitats. This study will address the evolutionary and ecological importance of genetic changes resulting from hybridization between two closely related plant species which have recently come into contact as a result of human activity. Carpobrotus edulis is an aggressive South African perennial introduced into California in the early 1900's where it invades coastal dune, grassland and scrub habitats. Carpobrotus chilensis is a less aggressive species that was common throughout California before the introduction of C. edulis. It exhibits little competitive pressure on native dune species. In this study, the investigators will combine genetic techniques and field experiments to establish the extent to which hybridization is occurring between these species and examine the effect of hybridization and introgression on morphological, ecological and fitness characteristics important to successful establishment and invasion. Also, some of the community-level consequences of hybridization will be identified. %%% The historical separation of these species provides the ideal system in which to measure gene flow and corresponding changes in fitness and ecological adaptation. The results of this study will contribute to understanding the impact of hybridization on the genetic integrity of native species and the conservation of native ecosystems.