Integrative Analysis of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub: Unveiling Genetic Variation and Ecological Adaptations for Sustainable Ecosystem Management

ABSTRACT Understanding the diversity and ecological evolutionary history of plant species is crucial for addressing the current biodiversity crisis and comprehending the processes by which organisms fill ecological and geographic spaces. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the dive...

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Main Authors: Marcin Nowicki, Logan C. Houston, Sarah L. Boggess, Matthew L. Huff, Margaret E. Staton, Robert N. Trigiano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Ecology and Evolution
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71079
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author Marcin Nowicki
Logan C. Houston
Sarah L. Boggess
Matthew L. Huff
Margaret E. Staton
Robert N. Trigiano
author_facet Marcin Nowicki
Logan C. Houston
Sarah L. Boggess
Matthew L. Huff
Margaret E. Staton
Robert N. Trigiano
author_sort Marcin Nowicki
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Understanding the diversity and ecological evolutionary history of plant species is crucial for addressing the current biodiversity crisis and comprehending the processes by which organisms fill ecological and geographic spaces. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the diversity and evolutionary history of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub from the lycophyte lineage of plants, using microsatellite genotyping data and biogeographic analyses. Based on the available transcriptome assembly, we generated numerous markers and utilized 13 robust microsatellite markers to genotype a collection of 402 specimens from the Eastern US (VT; VA; NC; TN). In accordance with the accepted phylogeny, cross‐amplification tests demonstrated a closer relationship between D. digitatum and Diphasiastrum spp. compared with Lycopodium spp. Furthermore, the population genetics analyses identified two genetic clusters within the D. digitatum collection and suggested ongoing divergence and expansion. Isolation‐by‐distance analysis indicated that geographic distance had a minimal effect on differentiation, whereas environmental variables related to water regime were strongly associated with the genetic variance. Ecological niche modeling showed a post‐Last Glacial Maximum expansion of D. digitatum from southern refugia, corroborating a similar evolutionary scenario based on our microsatellite data. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of clubmosses and highlights the migration events and the environmental factors that shaped their current distribution.
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spelling doaj-art-a85bc3ba97bc4b82ac9cdcd6d9d481bc2025-08-20T03:52:25ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582025-03-01153n/an/a10.1002/ece3.71079Integrative Analysis of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub: Unveiling Genetic Variation and Ecological Adaptations for Sustainable Ecosystem ManagementMarcin Nowicki0Logan C. Houston1Sarah L. Boggess2Matthew L. Huff3Margaret E. Staton4Robert N. Trigiano5Entomology and Plant Pathology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USAEntomology and Plant Pathology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USAEntomology and Plant Pathology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USAEntomology and Plant Pathology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USAEntomology and Plant Pathology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USAEntomology and Plant Pathology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USAABSTRACT Understanding the diversity and ecological evolutionary history of plant species is crucial for addressing the current biodiversity crisis and comprehending the processes by which organisms fill ecological and geographic spaces. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the diversity and evolutionary history of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub from the lycophyte lineage of plants, using microsatellite genotyping data and biogeographic analyses. Based on the available transcriptome assembly, we generated numerous markers and utilized 13 robust microsatellite markers to genotype a collection of 402 specimens from the Eastern US (VT; VA; NC; TN). In accordance with the accepted phylogeny, cross‐amplification tests demonstrated a closer relationship between D. digitatum and Diphasiastrum spp. compared with Lycopodium spp. Furthermore, the population genetics analyses identified two genetic clusters within the D. digitatum collection and suggested ongoing divergence and expansion. Isolation‐by‐distance analysis indicated that geographic distance had a minimal effect on differentiation, whereas environmental variables related to water regime were strongly associated with the genetic variance. Ecological niche modeling showed a post‐Last Glacial Maximum expansion of D. digitatum from southern refugia, corroborating a similar evolutionary scenario based on our microsatellite data. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of clubmosses and highlights the migration events and the environmental factors that shaped their current distribution.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71079ecological niche modelingevolutionary dynamicsfan clubmossphylogeographySouthern ground cedarspecies management
spellingShingle Marcin Nowicki
Logan C. Houston
Sarah L. Boggess
Matthew L. Huff
Margaret E. Staton
Robert N. Trigiano
Integrative Analysis of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub: Unveiling Genetic Variation and Ecological Adaptations for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
Ecology and Evolution
ecological niche modeling
evolutionary dynamics
fan clubmoss
phylogeography
Southern ground cedar
species management
title Integrative Analysis of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub: Unveiling Genetic Variation and Ecological Adaptations for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
title_full Integrative Analysis of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub: Unveiling Genetic Variation and Ecological Adaptations for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
title_fullStr Integrative Analysis of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub: Unveiling Genetic Variation and Ecological Adaptations for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
title_full_unstemmed Integrative Analysis of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub: Unveiling Genetic Variation and Ecological Adaptations for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
title_short Integrative Analysis of Diphasiastrum digitatum Holub: Unveiling Genetic Variation and Ecological Adaptations for Sustainable Ecosystem Management
title_sort integrative analysis of diphasiastrum digitatum holub unveiling genetic variation and ecological adaptations for sustainable ecosystem management
topic ecological niche modeling
evolutionary dynamics
fan clubmoss
phylogeography
Southern ground cedar
species management
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71079
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