表型可塑性与外来入侵植物的适应性

Phenotypic plasticity and adaptability of the invasive alien species

表型可塑性是生物体在不同环境中表现不同特征和特性的能力,在生物中普遍存在这种现象。在外来入侵植物入侵过程中,表型可塑性强的入侵植物具有强大的适应性,可以促使其成功入侵。外来入侵植物的表型可塑性通过在定殖与种群建立过程中的前适应机制和潜伏与扩散传播过程中的后适应机制拓宽了生态幅,作用于进化和自然选择的速度,从而增强了外来入侵植物的入侵性。本文介绍了表型可塑性的概念与研究进展,重点阐述了外来入侵植物表型可塑性适应意义的主要理论及其研究方法,并对该领域研究进行了展望。

Phenotypic plasticity results from multiple phenotypes of a single genotype, depending on environmental conditions. It is a common phenomenon in nature, and normally involves ecologically-based behavioral, physiological, morphological and life-history traits. Invasion biologists believe that phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in successful plant invasions, and invasive species are more plastic than non-invasive or native ones, since plasticity enhances ecological niche breadth and confers a fitness advantage. Such species then act on evolutionary processes through phenotypic plasticity and become successful invasive species. The plastic responses of invasive alien species are expressed either within the lifespan of individuals or across generations. In this review, the concept, evidences and research progresses of phenotypic plasticity are summarized, with special focuses on its contribution to adaptability of successful invasions. The theoretical hypotheses and methodological basis are introduced. Adaptable mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity in invasive alien species are discussed. Some research topics, such as the quantitative genetic basis of plasticity, need further study.