Format: ORAL

M. Angeles Ortiz1, Raul Sanchez2, Iciar Jimnez2, Karin Tremetsberger3, Casper van Leeuwen4, Adam Lovas-Kiss5, Andrew J. Green2

1 Dpto. Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain 2 Dept of Wetland Ecology, Doñana Biological Station EBD-CSIC, Sevilla, Spain. 3 Institut für Botanik, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Wien, Austria 4 Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands 5 Wetland Ecology Research Group, Centre for Ecological Research, Danube Research Inst., Debrecen, Hungary

One of the main challenges when reconstructing the evolutionary history of a plant species is the lack of information about its dispersal mechanisms. These mechanisms shape the distribution of plants, favoring long-distance dispersal events or confining them to much more restricted areas. Some species exhibit obvious dispersal syndromes, like plants with fleshy fruits. However, plants without clear modifications in their fruits or seeds promote controversy regarding whether they have a specialized dispersal system, fall passively near the mother plant, or depend on random events to colonize new habitats. A specific case involves dry-fruited plants in wetlands, traditionally assumed to have hydrochorous dispersal due to their distribution in or near waterbodies. Recent studies have shown that aquatic birds can disperse dry-fruited plants through endozoochory, after feeding on the plants or in the seed bank, egesting viable seeds in their faeces. But how does this type of dispersal affect the genetic structure of plants? Does it promote long-distance dispersal along migratory flyways, and/or connectivity between nearby wetlands? We will test the dispersal processes shaping the population structure and gene flow in Eleocharis palustris (Cyperaceae). This species inhabits wetland borders and temporarily flooded areas, being native to the Northern Hemisphere. Endozoochory of this species has been recorded for many different waterbird species. Morphological and ploidy level studies have been conducted to characterize its variability. To delve into this topic, population genomics was investigated applying GBS (genotyping by sequencing) in 188 plants from 20 populations in seven European countries. Finally, the relationship between the migratory flyways and the population networks will be discussed, as well as the role of their ecological niche. The understanding of how endozoochory can shape the distribution of a species could be key to management and conservation policies for native taxa.