OAKFLOW: Intra and interspecific gene flow in oaks as mechanisms promoting diversity and adaptive potential

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 99.0838

Key words (English)

Fitness; gene flow; genetic diversity; interspecific hybridization; oaks; pollen dispersal; progeny; paternity exclusion probability;
Agriculture; Economic Aspects; Environmental Protection; Life Sciences; Resources of the Sea; Fisheries

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK5-2000-00960

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.5 Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: INRA, Cestas (F)

Abstract (English)

The project aims at estimating the amount of intra- and interspecific (hybridisation) gene flow in European oaks (Q. petraea and Q. robur mainly butal so other Mediterranean white oaks) by using genetic fingerprints and applying parentage analysis. Natural gene flow due to pollen and seed dispersal, and artificial flow due to man-made seed transfer will be investigated. The consequences of gene flow at the genetic but also ecological level will be addressed. Genomic regions affected by hybridisation will be identified and fitness related traits will be compared between hybrids and the parental species. These comparisons will be conducted on juvenile and adult material in natural flow on management rules will be addressed by considering different real cases in strong cooperation with end-users associated to the project.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 99.0838