May 11, 2022

12:00pm, PST 158 HH and Zoom

Lluvia Flores-Renteria
Department of Biology, San Diego State University

" The Evolutionary Ecology of Multispecies Gene Flow Networks During the Anthropocene "

Human activity has largely influenced the climate and the environment in the past decades. Thus, during the recent Anthropocene, species face three fast-paced paths in which they either: 1) migrate, 2) adapt or 3) die. Trees are foundation species with long generation times that might be more affected under climate change compared to short generation species, and we are starting to understand the different mechanisms they use to cope with climate change. In this talk, I will present evidence that shows trees are able to hybridize among different species forming multispecies networks, also known as syngameons. These networks could have positive and negative outcomes for the species complex, but in pinyon pines gene flow in the syngameonic network is pervasive at edge ranges allowing to have defined species while facilitating the origin of novel traits, novel species, and adaptation to novel environments. Syngameonic networks are more common than previously thought and are critical in the evolution of these species. The ability to hybridize in multiple directions in a species network might be a mechanism that has resulted in the survival of species under climate changes in the past and we need to explore whether it is playing a large role under the Anthropocene. I would like to discuss how we need to recognize their importance and develop a conservation framework that includes the syngameonic dynamic.

 

 Seminar will be presented live

Hershey Hall, Room 158

And also via Zoom

Host: Victoria Sork