Adaptation

Climatic and ecogeographical diversity among wild tomatoes

Combining GIS information, geographic, and biological data on wild tomatoes species ranges, we are quantifying the range, amplitude and diversity of ecological preferences among all wild species in Lycopersicon. Climatic factors that strongly affect species distributions include temperature, altitude, and precipitation. In combination with phylogenetic data, we are assessing the role of ecological diversification in speciation among wild tomatoes.

Ecophysiological differentiation within and among species

In common garden experiments, we have shown phenotypic and physiological divergence between species, as well as among populations within species. These differences are strongly associated with climatic factors, suggesting that adaptation to climate has shaped this recent phenotypic diversification.

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