Genomics for species delineation and conservation status determination:
the Black Maple as a case study
- Alix Pugeaut,
- Bautisse Postaire,
- Yann Surget-Groba
Abstract
The assessment of the conservation status of species is crucial to
effective conservation strategies, particularly in the current context
of global changes. However, the quality of these assessments can be
undermined by taxonomic uncertainties. One such case is the black maple
whose conservation status is incongruent among Canadian provinces and
American states where it naturally occurs. Morphological disparities
between sugar maple and black maple led to their description as distinct
species at the end of the 19th century, yet extensive hybridization
between the two forms and low genetic differentiation has been reported
since. The consensus on the taxonomical designation of black maple
remains elusive and is sometimes recognised as a subspecies or ecotype
of the sugar maple. To further investigate genetic distinctiveness of
sugar and black maple, we analyzed high-throughput sequencing data
obtained from two 700-meters apart stands within a contiguous forest
where the two maples coexist. We sampled groups of individuals
presenting the typical morphological characters of limb outlines and
pubescence of each maple. Genetic data unveiled substantial
differentiation between these two maples, confirming the distinctiveness
of the black maple gene pools and justifying its recognition as a
distinct species. Furthermore, black maple populations in Quebec
exhibited markedly greater genetic structure and inbreeding compared to
their sugar maple counterparts at equivalent latitudes. These findings
not only affirm the species-level taxonomy of black maple but also
represent the first characterization of genetic diversity within
populations situated at the northern edge of its distribution range. Its
high level of inbreeding is concerning for the conservation of the
species in Quebec, and more research is needed to identify its origin.Submitted to Molecular Ecology Submission Checks Completed
Assigned to Editor
Reviewer(s) Assigned
23 Jul 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Oct 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending