Ecophysiological plasticity and local differentiation help explain the invasion success of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) in South America

摘要: Plasticity and local adaptation have been suggested as two main mechanisms that alien species use to successfully tolerate invade broad geographic areas. In the present study, we try answer question if mechanism for distributional range of T. officinale is phenotypic plasticity, ecotypic or both. For this, used individuals originated from seeds collected in five localities along its latitudinal distribution southern-hemisphere. Seedlings were acclimated at 5 25°C one month. After acclimation period evaluated ecophysiological cytogenetic traits. Additionally, assessed fitness each temperature by recording seed output different localities. Finally, performed a manipulative experiment order assess tolerance herbivory competitive ability between all origins Hypochaeris scorzonerae co-occurring native species. Overall, showed high plasticity traits this study. Changes both physiology morphology observed mostly correlated, enhancing their performance temperatures similar those origin. same chromosome number ploidy level. On other hand, an increase 25°C, but northern increased more. was not significantly affected while negative effect. exerted strong effect on species, former effected invasive officinale. High traits, seed-set low variability suggests strategies are plant mutually exclusive. higher could perform environments with climatic conditions, thus colonize South-America.