Differential admixture and introgression in Cerasus hybrid zones at the
south rear edge of cool-temperate C. sargentii and the north leading
edge of temperate C. leveilleana
Abstract
math_commands
Genetic and phenotypic clines in hybrid zones can differ due to various
extents of hybridization and selection in heterogeneous environments.
Temperate Cerasus leveilleana (Cl) and cool-temperate C. sargentii (Cs)
form hybrid zones along elevational gradients. Because their geographic
distributional ranges are largely overlapped, the hybrid zones are
located across a wide latitudinal range in Japan. We compared variation
in genotypes and phenotypes in hybrid zones among the south edge of Cs
(south site), the north edge of Cl (north site), and the core of their
ranges (central site). Genetic differentiation in nuclear microsatellite
genotypes between Cl and Cs was lower, and the proportion of admixed
individuals was higher, in the south site than in the central and north
sites. Difference in the leaf hair density between Cl and Cs was smaller
in the south site than in the central and north sites. Flowering periods
at the same elevation were about seven days earlier in Cs than in Cl in
the central site, while the periods were about nine days earlier in the
south and north sites. These results suggest more admixture in the south
site, which may result in introgression in a leaf trait, although
staggered flowering is maintained. These findings imply that genetic
admixture and phenotypic introgression has been facilitated, except for
the latter in traits contributing to reproductive isolation, in the
hybrid zone at the south rear edge of either species under the warming
trend after the last glacial period.