Population Genetics of <i>Odontarrhena</i> (Brassicaceae) from Albania: The Effects of Anthropic Habitat Disturbance, Soil, and Altitude on a Ni-Hyperaccumulator Plant Group from a Major Serpentine Hotspot

• Main Authors: Andrea Coppi, Alan J. M. Baker, Isabella Bettarini, Ilaria Colzi, Guillaume Echevarria, Luigia Pazzagli, Cristina Gonnelli, Federico Selvi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Plants
• Subjects: anthropogenic disturbance; heavy metals; Ni-hyperaccumulators; polyploids; population genetics; outlier loci
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/12/1686

Albanian taxa and populations of the genus <i>Odontarrhena</i> are most promising candidates for research on metal tolerance and Ni-agromining, but their genetic structure remains unknown. We investigated phylogenetic relationships and genetic differentiation in relation to distribution and ploidy of the taxa, anthropic site disturbance, elevation, soil type, and trace metals at each population site. After performing DNA sequencing of selected accessions, we applied DNA-fingerprinting to analyze the genetic structure of 32 populations from ultramafic and non-ultramafic outcrops across Albania. Low sequence divergence resulted in poorly resolved phylograms, but supported affinity between the two diploid serpentine endemics <i>O. moravensis</i> and <i>O. rigida</i>. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significant population differentiation, but no isolation by distance. Among-population variation was higher in polyploids than in diploids, in which genetic distances were lower. Genetic admixing at population and individual level occurred especially in the polyploids <i>O. chalcidica</i>, <i>O. decipiens</i>, and <i>O. smolikana</i>. Admixing increased with site disturbance. Outlier loci were higher in serpentine populations but decreased along altitude with lower drought and heat stress. Genetic variability gained by gene flow and hybridization at contact zones with “resident” species of primary ultramafic habitats promoted expansion of the tetraploid <i>O. chalcidica</i> across anthropogenic sites.