Abstract Detail

Population Genetics/Genomics

Gomez Quijano, Maria Jose [1], Etterson, Julie [2], Gross, Briana [3].

Why do coastal seeds fail? The potential for local adaptation of Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) in Minnesota’s coastal forests.

The climate of the North Shore region in northern Minnesota is moderated by Lake Superior. This region has a unique environment due to the lake effect, which results in warmer winters and cooler summers in coastal regions. Currently, Minnesota state foresters actively avoid collecting any tree seeds from this environment, as observations show that the coastal seeds fail to grow when they are planted in inland areas of the state. This failure to establish could be a sign of local adaptation of the species to the unique climate on the coast of Lake Superior. Alternatively, the failure to establish could instead be due to poor provisioned seeds due to environmental effects. In this project, we are using population genetics and common-garden experiments to explore population structure and to examine the basis for poor performance of coastal seeds. We collected leaf samples and acorns from Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) populations in three different regions at varying distances from the North Shore (coastal, inland, and interior). We used sequence-based genotyping (SBG) to identify SNPs and examine population structure as it correlates with the distance of populations from the lake shore. For the common garden experiment, acorns were planted in a randomized block design in the greenhouse to monitor germination and juvenile traits across the three regions.We used Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) as a study system because it is predicted to be a climate change “winner” and its range and value are expected to increase in future years. The results obtained in this study will have management, conservation, and restoration implications for the forests along the shoreline of Lake Superior.

1 - University of Minnesota Duluth, Biology , 284 SSB, 1035 Kirby Drive , Duluth, MN, 55812, USA
2 - University Of Minnesota Duluth, 207 Swenson Science Building, 1110 Kirby Drive, 6770 Haugen Lane, 1035 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55803, United States
3 - University Of Minnesota Duluth, Department Of Biology, 207 Swenson Science Building, 1035 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55812, United States

Keywords:
local adaptation
Quercus rubra
Quantitative genetics
population genetics
Sequence based genotyping .

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Population Genetics/Genomics Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PPG009
Abstract ID:535
Candidate for Awards:Genetics Section Poster Award