Definition
noun, plural: ecoclines
A sequence of inter-ranking structure formed within a group between two distinct environments wherein the border line takes gradual and dynamic changes nurturing varied stable communities in a geographical area.
Supplement
It occurs in a gradual change in phenotype seen across population or adjacent populations that are frequently appears to have an ecological explanation.
Nonstop variation in plant phenotypes and associated genotype along an environmental slope.
Genetically, ecocline is the product of alteration of allele frequencies within the gene pool of the group of taxa that are evident through time and space.
The presence of polymorphisms in clover is a good example of an ecocline across Europe. This variety of plants generates two alleles one will produce cyanogenic glucoside and the other discharge enzymes, a lysosomes that breaks down glucoside to create free cyanide. Investigation of these plants showed that those happened to produce cyanide found primarily in south and west Europe while those do not release cyanide found mostly in north-east of Europe.
Whether deviation in the population patterns forms ecocline ,ecotypes and non-directional mosaic distributions will depend on how spaced out a populations are from each other and the quantity of genetic exchange among populations features environmental distributions towards the degree of natural selection acting on individuals.
Compare:
• genocline
See also
• ecotone
• ecotypes
• non-directional mosaic distributions
Dictionary > Ecocline
