Abstract Detail

Comparative Genomics/Transcriptomics

Groot Crego , Clara [1], Hess, Jaqueline [2], de La Harpe, Marylaure [3], McNair, Neil [1], Yardeni, Gil [1], Paris, Margot [4], Barfuss, Michael H. J. [5], Till, Walter [1], Leroy, Thibault [1], Paun, Ovidiu [6], Lexer, Christian [1].

Comparative genomics approaches as tools to unveil the drivers of evolutionary radiations : a case study in Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae).

The uneven occurrence of evolutionary radiations in certain lineages across the Tree of Life continues to puzzle evolutionary biologists. Adaptive radiations have been studied in many different model systems, yet it is unclear how adaptation directly drives speciation. Recent studies shed new light on the potential drivers of radiations, indicating that processes such as gene flow, drift and genome evolution might also play an important role in adaptive radiations. The subgenus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) is an exemplary system for studying radiations. Numerous adaptive traits segregate in the Tillandsia subgenus, such as markedly different photosynthetic modes (C3 vs. CAM) and pollination syndromes (humming birds / bats / insects). About 2-3 mya, part of the subgenus spread from its original distribution in the Andes to Central America, where it quickly diversified into a species rich clade. This colonization history was most probably accompanied by major demographic events of relevance to the rapid diversification of Central American Tillandsia. Additionally, highly dynamic genome evolution has been inferred in this group, including changes in genome size and increased levels of gene duplication and loss, which potentially fuelled the radiation with novel variation. This indicates that the radiation of the subgenus Tillandsia has been driven by both adaptational processes and neutral or genomic processes. In this study, we report the first high-quality assembled genomes of two Central American Tillandsia species which display different photosynthetic strategies (CAM vs. C3) and other divergent key innovation traits. In this comparative framework, we unveil the sources of variation driving the divergent adaptation of these species, and the adaptive radiation of Tillandsia by extension. Altogether, we identify structural variation, together with regulatory and adaptive sequence evolution around genes involved in key innovation traits as major drivers underlying this fascinating adaptive radiation.

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1 - University of Vienna, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, Rennweg 14, Vienna, 1030, Austria
2 - UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Soil Ecology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, Halle/Saale, 06120, Germany
3 - University of Zurich, Department of Geography, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
4 - University of Fribourg, PER 01 bu. 0.360c, Ch. du Musée 10, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
5 - University Of Vienna, Botany And Biodiversity Research, Rennweg 14, Vienna, 1030, Austria
6 - University Of Vienna , Department Of Botany And Biodiversity Research, Rennweg 14, Vienna, A-1030, Austria

Keywords:
comparative genomics
adaptive radiation
Bromeliaceae
Tillandsia
key innovation.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: CG3, Functional & Comparative Genetics/Genomics III
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Friday, July 31st, 2020
Time: 3:45 PM
Number: CG3004
Abstract ID:318
Candidate for Awards:None