Lower plasticity exhibited by high- versus mid-elevation species in their phenological responses to manipulated temperature and drought.

Background And Aims: Recent global changes, particularly warming and drought, have had worldwide repercussions on the timing of flowering events for many plant species. Phenological shifts have also been reported in alpine environments, where short growing seasons and low temperatures make reproduction particularly challenging, requiring fine-tuning to environmental cues. However, it remains unclear if species from such habitats, with their specific adaptations, harbour the same potential for phenological plasticity as species from less demanding habitats.

Novel microsatellite markers for the high-alpine Geum reptans (Rosaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Geum reptans reproduces by outcrossing or by the formation of stolons. Sexual and clonal reproduction are not exclusive and occur mostly simultaneously. We developed novel microsatellite primers for this species, which will be used in a study about local adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, and random molecular divergence of alpine plants.

New microsatellite markers for Anthyllis vulneraria (Fabaceae), analyzed with Spreadex gel electrophoresis.

Premise Of The Study: New microsatellite primers were developed for the diploid herb Anthyllis vulneraria. These primers will be used in upcoming studies focusing on random genetic variation, local adaptation, and phenotypic plasticity in alpine plants. •

Methods And Results: The new primers were adjusted to separate PCR amplicons (70 to 170 bp) on precast Spreadex gels using horizontal gel electrophoresis.