Genetic differentiation across a steep and narrow environmental
gradient: Quantitative genetic and genomic insights into Lake Superior
populations of Quercus rubra
Abstract
Adaptive differentiation of traits and underlying loci can occur at a
small geographic scale if natural selection is stronger than gene flow
and drift. We investigated this hypothesis using coupled quantitative
genetic and genomic approaches for a wind-pollinated tree species,
Quercus rubra, along the steep, narrow gradient of the Lake
Superior coast that encompasses four USDA Hardiness Zones within 100 km.
For the quantitative genetic component, we examined phenotypic
differentiation among eight populations in a common garden. For the
genomic component, we quantified genetic differentiation for 26
populations using RAD-seq. Because hybridization with the congener
Quercus ellipsoidalis has been documented elsewhere, we also
included two populations of this species for comparison. In the common
garden study, we found a strong signal of population differentiation
that was significantly associated with at least one climate factor for
nine of ten measured traits. In contrast, we found no evidence of
genomic differentiation among populations based on FST or other
measures. However, distance-based, and genotype-environment association
analyses identified loci showing the signature of selection, with one
locus in common across five analyses. This locus was associated with the
minimum temperature of the coldest month, a climate factor was also
significant in the common garden analyses. In addition, we documented
introgression from Q. ellipsoidalis into Q. rubra, with
rates of introgression correlated with the climate gradient. In sum,
this study reveals signatures of selection at the quantitative trait and
genomic level consistent with climate adaptation occurring at a small
geographic scale.