Co-existence and co-evolution

In a natural area in Israel fragmented by agricultural land, we investigate the influence of fragmentation on the population genetic patterns of different Asteraceae species. This raises the question of whether species that co-occur in areas co-exist and then co-evolve under constant conditions (test of the Neutral Theory of Evolution). Next Generation Sequencing technologies (Genotype by Sequencing) but also Common Garden experiments will show how co-occurring species influence each other.

Müller CM, Linke B, Strickert M, Ziv Y, Giladi I, Gemeinholzer B (2019): Comparative genomic analysis of three co-occurring annual Asteraceae along micro-geographic fragmentation scenarios. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2019.125486

Müller CM, Schulz B, Lauterbach D, Ristow M, Wissemann V, Gemeinholzer B (2017): Indications for micro-geographic adaptations to precipitation at the species' range edge of Geropogon hybridus (L.) Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae), Plant Systematics and Evolution, 303(1), 91-104.

Gemeinholzer B, May F, Ristow M, Batsch C, Lauterbach D (2012): Strong genetic differentiation on a fragmentation gradient in populations of the heterocarpic annual Catananche lutea L. (Compositae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 298(8): 1585-1596.