Journal article
Does urbanisation lead to parallel demographic shifts across the world in a cosmopolitan plant?
Molecular ecology, v 33(7), e17311
01 Apr 2024
PMID: 38468155
Abstract
Urbanisation is occurring globally, leading to dramatic environmental changes that are altering the ecology and evolution of species. In particular, the expansion of human infrastructure and the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats in cities is predicted to increase genetic drift and reduce gene flow by reducing the size and connectivity of populations. Alternatively, the 'urban facilitation model' suggests that some species will have greater gene flow into and within cities leading to higher diversity and lower differentiation in urban populations. These alternative hypotheses have not been contrasted across multiple cities. Here, we used the genomic data from the GLobal Urban Evolution project (GLUE), to study the effects of urbanisation on non-adaptive evolutionary processes of white clover (Trifolium repens) at a global scale. We found that white clover populations presented high genetic diversity and no evidence of reduced N
linked to urbanisation. On the contrary, we found that urban populations were less likely to experience a recent decrease in effective population size than rural ones. In addition, we found little genetic structure among populations both globally and between urban and rural populations, which showed extensive gene flow between habitats. Interestingly, white clover displayed overall higher gene flow within urban areas than within rural habitats. Our study provides the largest comprehensive test of the demographic effects of urbanisation. Our results contrast with the common perception that heavily altered and fragmented urban environments will reduce the effective population size and genetic diversity of populations and contribute to their isolation.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Does urbanisation lead to parallel demographic shifts across the world in a cosmopolitan plant?
- Creators
- Aude E Caizergues - University of TorontoJames S Santangelo - University of California, BerkeleyRob W Ness - University of TorontoFabio Angeoletto - Universidade Federal de RondôniaDaniel N Anstett - Michigan State UniversityJulia Anstett - University of British ColumbiaFernanda Baena-Diaz - Instituto de EcologíaElizabeth J Carlen - Washington University in St. LouisJaime A Chaves - Universidad San Francisco de QuitoMattheau S Comerford - University of Massachusetts BostonKaren Dyson - DendreonMohsen Falahati-Anbaran - Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyMark D E Fellowes - University of ReadingKathryn A Hodgins - Monash UniversityGlen Ray Hood - Wayne State UniversityCarlos Iñiguez-Armijos - Universidad Técnica Particular de LojaNicholas J Kooyers - University of Louisiana at LafayetteAdrián Lázaro-Lobo - Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB), CSIC-University of Oviedo-Principality of Asturias, Mieres, SpainAngela T Moles - UNSW SydneyJason Munshi-South - Fordham UniversityJuraj Paule - Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum BerlinIlga M Porth - Université LavalLuis Y Santiago-Rosario - University of MinnesotaKaitlin Stack Whitney - Rochester Institute of TechnologyAyko J M Tack - Stockholm UniversityMarc T J Johnson - University of Toronto
- Publication Details
- Molecular ecology, v 33(7), e17311
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Grant note
- Canadian Network for Research and Innovation in Machining Technology, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada School of Cities Canada Research Chairs
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001182137000001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85187485614
- Other Identifier
- 991021904445904721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology