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Biotic and Abiotic Drivers of Phenotypic Diversity in the Genus Lupinus (Fabaceae)

Burke Irazoque, Mateo ; Mónica Moraes, R. and Lozada-Gobilard, Sissi LU orcid (2026) In Plants 15(3).
Abstract

The genus Lupinus (Fabaceae) represents an exceptional model system for studying evolutionary processes mediated by pollinators and environmental factors. This review synthesizes evidence on phenotypic variability of floral traits, trait selection by biotic and abiotic factors, and the eco-evolutionary implications of these interactions. Pollinators shape floral traits through specialized selection that optimizes pollination efficiency while maintaining plasticity toward autogamy under pollinator scarcity. At the same time, abiotic pressures drive adaptations to climate and elevation, which Lupinus achieves through phenotypic plasticity, such as adjusting flowering time, and through mutualisms with soil microbes that reduce abiotic... (More)

The genus Lupinus (Fabaceae) represents an exceptional model system for studying evolutionary processes mediated by pollinators and environmental factors. This review synthesizes evidence on phenotypic variability of floral traits, trait selection by biotic and abiotic factors, and the eco-evolutionary implications of these interactions. Pollinators shape floral traits through specialized selection that optimizes pollination efficiency while maintaining plasticity toward autogamy under pollinator scarcity. At the same time, abiotic pressures drive adaptations to climate and elevation, which Lupinus achieves through phenotypic plasticity, such as adjusting flowering time, and through mutualisms with soil microbes that reduce abiotic stress. Ecological implications reveal contrasting dynamics, where native species sustain specialized pollination networks, while invasive species such as L. polyphyllus Lindl. disrupt these interactions through competitive exclusion. Thus, these two factors collectively drive Lupinus phenotypic diversity through specialized adaptations and plasticity. Finally, we emphasize the need for integrated studies combining genomics and ecological modeling to decipher the adaptive mechanisms of this genus.

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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
local adaptation, lupine, phenotypic integration, pollination, reproductive success, trait selection
in
Plants
volume
15
issue
3
article number
456
publisher
MDPI AG
external identifiers
  • pmid:41681622
  • scopus:105030186951
ISSN
2223-7747
DOI
10.3390/plants15030456
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2026 by the authors.
id
7cf603dd-64c5-4913-b280-5ef75afab4b1
date added to LUP
2026-03-03 14:55:46
date last changed
2026-03-31 21:15:51
@article{7cf603dd-64c5-4913-b280-5ef75afab4b1,
  abstract     = {{<p>The genus Lupinus (Fabaceae) represents an exceptional model system for studying evolutionary processes mediated by pollinators and environmental factors. This review synthesizes evidence on phenotypic variability of floral traits, trait selection by biotic and abiotic factors, and the eco-evolutionary implications of these interactions. Pollinators shape floral traits through specialized selection that optimizes pollination efficiency while maintaining plasticity toward autogamy under pollinator scarcity. At the same time, abiotic pressures drive adaptations to climate and elevation, which Lupinus achieves through phenotypic plasticity, such as adjusting flowering time, and through mutualisms with soil microbes that reduce abiotic stress. Ecological implications reveal contrasting dynamics, where native species sustain specialized pollination networks, while invasive species such as L. polyphyllus Lindl. disrupt these interactions through competitive exclusion. Thus, these two factors collectively drive Lupinus phenotypic diversity through specialized adaptations and plasticity. Finally, we emphasize the need for integrated studies combining genomics and ecological modeling to decipher the adaptive mechanisms of this genus.</p>}},
  author       = {{Burke Irazoque, Mateo and Mónica Moraes, R. and Lozada-Gobilard, Sissi}},
  issn         = {{2223-7747}},
  keywords     = {{local adaptation; lupine; phenotypic integration; pollination; reproductive success; trait selection}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  publisher    = {{MDPI AG}},
  series       = {{Plants}},
  title        = {{Biotic and Abiotic Drivers of Phenotypic Diversity in the Genus Lupinus (Fabaceae)}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants15030456}},
  doi          = {{10.3390/plants15030456}},
  volume       = {{15}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}