Biology subjects

Rubio Teso, M. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Rubio Teso, M. L..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Detecting Phenotypic Variability in Lupinus angustifolius Through Ecogeographic Land Characterization

Germplasm banks hold substantial potential across numerous branches of life sciences. However, this potential remains underutilized, partly due to the limited and incomplete characterization of the accessions. To address this issue, we propose the use of Ecogeographical Land Characterization (ELC) maps as a tool for classifying accessions into distinct ecological regions, thereby simplifying the characterization process. To test this approach, we collected Lupinus angustifolius seeds from multiple locations across the Iberian Peninsula, guided by a previously developed ELC map. Our results suggest that ELC maps effectively condense the Iberian landscape while capturing a moderate proportion of the species phenotypic variation. Overall, this approach offers a promising avenue to optimize germplasm conservation strategies while balancing resource limitations.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

In situ evaluation of artificial selection and assisted gene flow for the advancement of flowering onset in Lupinus angustifolius L. (Fabaceae)

Artificial selection and assisted gene flow represent promising conservation strategies for enhancing species adaptive capacity under accelerating climate change. We tested the application of artificial selection and assisted gene flow by evaluating progeny performance under field conditions, using Lupinus angustifolius L. (Fabaceae) as a model to advance flowering onset. Seeds were collected from four wild populations and two contrasting latitudes in Spain for parallel artificial selection and assisted gene flow three-year experiments. In the artificial selection treatment, we developed two early-flowering selection lines per population over three generations using both selfing and outcrossing. For assisted gene flow, we created F1 hybrids by crossing northern populations with southern pollen donors, then produced F2 and F3 generations through successive self-pollination. Finally, F3 seeds from this process were sown in autumn in a common garden under natural conditions, near the original population sites. Spring 2021 measurements of flowering onset and morphological traits revealed contrasting treatment effects. Artificial selection lines showed no significant phenotypic differentiation from controls across all measured traits, contradicting previous controlled-environment results. Conversely, assisted gene flow lines exhibited significantly earlier flowering and reduced shoot growth relative to controls, consistent with prior findings under controlled conditions. These results show greater efficacy of assisted gene flow over artificial selection for advancing flowering onset under natural conditions.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Effects of assisted gene flow on the flowering onset of the annual legume Lupinus angustifolius L.: from phenotype to genotype.

Current climate change may impede species to evolutionary adapt quickly enough to environmental changes, threatening their survival. In keystone populations, it may be necessary to consider the introduction of adaptive alleles through assisted gene flow. Considering that flowering time is a crucial trait in plant response to global warming, the objective of our study was to test the potential benefits and limitations of assisted gene flow for enhancing the evolutionary potential of Lupinus angustifolius L. (Fabaceae) populations through the advancement of flowering time in the context of global warming. Previous studies have shown that southern populations of L. angustifolius flower earlier than northern populations. We collected seeds from four populations in Spain from two different latitudes, and we established them in a common garden environment. To advance the flowering onset of northern populations, we used pollen from southern individuals to pollinate plants from northern populations, creating an F1 gene flow line. In the following season, the F1 gene flow line was self-pollinated to create an F2 self-pollination line. In parallel, individuals from the F1 gene flow line were pollinated again with pollen from northern plants, thus creating a backcross line. We also included a control line resulting from a random selection of individuals in each population in the first generation and their descendants from self-crosses in the second generation. We measured flowering onset, reproductive success and other plant traits in all individuals resulting from these lines. To characterize the effects of the assisted gene flow line at the genomic level, we carried out a gene capture analysis to sequence genes related to reproduction, growth, stress, nitrogen, and alkaloids in individuals from the F1 gene flow line and the control line in the first generation. All gene flow-derived lines flowered significantly earlier than the control line. Furthermore, plants from the F1 gene flow line produced heavier seeds and had a lower shoot growth than the control line. Genomic analyses identified 36 SNPs outliers that were associated to flowering onset, seed weight, and shoot growth. These results highlight that assisted gene flow can increase the evolutionary potential of populations by modifying the values of a specific trait. However, the modification of one trait may affect the values of other plant traits. The characteristics of the populations will have a fundamental effect on the results of assisted gene flow. Therefore, the selection of the donor population is a critical step in this process.

evolutionary biology↗