@article{KahlLenhardJoshi2019,
  author    = {Kahl, Sandra M. and Lenhard, Michael and Joshi, Jasmin Radha},
  title     = {Compensatory mechanisms to climate change in the widely distributed species Silene vulgaris},
  series = {The journal of ecology},
  volume    = {107},
  journal   = {The journal of ecology},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Wiley},
  address   = {Hoboken},
  issn      = {0022-0477},
  doi       = {10.1111/1365-2745.13133},
  pages     = {1918 -- 1930},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {The adaptation of plants to future climatic conditions is crucial for their survival. Not surprisingly, phenotypic responses to climate change have already been observed in many plant populations. These responses may be due to evolutionary adaptive changes or phenotypic plasticity. Especially plant species with a wide geographic range are either expected to show genetic differentiation in response to differing climate conditions or to have a high phenotypic plasticity. We investigated phenotypic responses and plasticity as an estimate of the adaptive potential in the widespread species Silene vulgaris. In a greenhouse experiment, 25 European populations covering a geographic range from the Canary Islands to Sweden were exposed to three experimental precipitation and two temperature regimes mimicking a possible climate-change scenario for central Europe. We hypothesized that southern populations have a better performance under high temperature and drought conditions, as they are already adapted to a comparable environment. We found that our treatments significantly influenced the plants, but did not reveal a latitudinal difference in response to climate treatments for most plant traits. Only flower number showed a stronger plasticity in northern European populations (e.g. Swedish populations) where numbers decreased more drastically with increased temperature and decreased precipitation treatment. Synthesis. The significant treatment response in Silene vulgaris, independent of population origin - except for the number of flowers produced - suggests a high degree of universal phenotypic plasticity in this widely distributed species. This reflects the likely adaptation strategy of the species and forms the basis for a successful survival strategy during upcoming climatic changes. However, as flower number, a strongly fitness-related trait, decreased more strongly in northern populations under a climate-change scenario, there might be limits to adaptation even in this widespread, plastic species.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WeyrichLenzJescheketal.2016,
  author    = {Weyrich, Alexandra and Lenz, Dorina and Jeschek, Marie and Tzu Hung Chung, and Ruebensam, Kathrin and Goeritz, Frank and Jewgenow, Katarina and Fickel, J{\"o}rns},
  title     = {Paternal intergenerational epigenetic response to heat exposure in male Wild guinea pigs},
  series = {Molecular ecology},
  volume    = {25},
  journal   = {Molecular ecology},
  publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell},
  address   = {Hoboken},
  issn      = {0962-1083},
  doi       = {10.1111/mec.13494},
  pages     = {1729 -- 1740},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Epigenetic modifications, of which DNA methylation is the best studied one, can convey environmental information through generations via parental germ lines. Past studies have focused on the maternal transmission of epigenetic information to the offspring of isogenic mice and rats in response to external changes, whereas heterogeneous wild mammals as well as paternal epigenetic effects have been widely neglected. In most wild mammal species, males are the dispersing sex and have to cope with differing habitats and thermal changes. As temperature is a major environmental factor we investigated if genetically heterogeneous Wild guinea pig (Cavia aperea) males can adapt epigenetically to an increase in temperature and if that response will be transmitted to the next generation(s). Five adult male guinea pigs (F0) were exposed to an increased ambient temperature for 2 months, i.e. the duration of spermatogenesis. We studied the liver (as the main thermoregulatory organ) of F0 fathers and F1 sons, and testes of F1 sons for paternal transmission of epigenetic modifications across generation(s). Reduced representation bisulphite sequencing revealed shared differentially methylated regions in annotated areas between F0 livers before and after heat treatment, and their sons' livers and testes, which indicated a general response with ecological relevance. Thus, paternal exposure to a temporally limited increased ambient temperature led to an 'immediate' and 'heritable' epigenetic response that may even be transmitted to the F2 generation. In the context of globally rising temperatures epigenetic mechanisms may become increasingly relevant for the survival of species.},
  language  = {en}
}