Biodiversity Exploratories - Beechadapt

Genetic and adaptive variation in beech (Fagus sylvatica): Which factors influence their spatial distribution patterns?

Aims:


  • Identification of probably adaptive genes

  • Analysis of the genetic diversity within these candidate genes for the adaptive relevant traits drought resistance and bud burst, since the exploratories represent a precipitation and a temperature gradient

  • Investigation of the adaptability of beech seedlings in reciprocal translocation experiments with the aim to associate genetic variation with phenotypic traits (in a possible follow up project)


Hypotheses:

  • We expect a higher differentiation in adaptive genes in comparison to “neutral” genetic variation.

  • We expect the local seedling to be best adapted in comparison to seedlings from other exploratories.

  • Furthermore, the influence of different forest management intensities on probably adaptive variation in candidate genes will be investigated.


Methods:

  • Transcriptome analysis by means of next generation sequencing as well as the utilization of candidate genes already used in former studies on beech and oak (Quercus spp.)

  • Analysis of selected SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) within the candidate genes

  • Observation of phenotypic traits, for example survival, bud burst and growth


Contact: Markus Müller, Reiner Finkeldey

Granting institution: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

Duration: 2011 - 2017

Publications:

  • Müller M, Seifert S, Lübbe T, Leuschner C, Finkeldey R (2017) De novo transcriptome assembly and analysis of differential gene expression in response to drought in European beech. PLOS ONE 12: e0184167. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184167

  • Müller M, Seifert S, Finkeldey R (2017) Comparison and confirmation of SNP-bud burst associations in European beech populations in Germany. Tree Genetics and Genomes 13: 59. doi: 10.1007/s11295-017-1145-9

  • Müller M*, Seifert* S, Finkeldey R (2015) Identification of SNPs in candidate genes potentially involved in bud burst in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Silvae Genetica 64: 1-20. *equal contribution



Further information about the "Biodiversity Exploratories" can be found here.