Abstract Detail

Phylogenomics

Simmonds, Sara [1], Smith, James [1], Davidson, Christopher [2], Buerki, Sven [1].

Untangling big genera using big data: Phylogenomics of Piper and Peperomia (Piperacae).

Radiations of exceptional diversity provide unique opportunities to understand the evolution of biodiversity. However, markers often lack sufficient variation making it difficult to test hypotheses in robust phylogenetic frameworks. One such radiation is the pepper family (Piperaceae), a mega-diverse lineage of early flowering plants that is important for understanding the diversification of angiosperms. Despite their importance, sparse genomic data is limiting our understanding of biodiversity in two of the largest genera, Piper (c. 2,000 species) and Peperomia (c. 1,000 species). To address this gap, we used a genome skimming approach and publicly available data, to assemble and annotate a large nuclear ribosomal (nrDNA) region as well as whole chloroplast (cpDNA) genomes from representative Piper and Peperomia species. We evaluated whether structural variation among chloroplast genomes and nucleotide diversity could resolve phylogenetic relationships. We also compared phylogenies to investigate the role of hybridization in the evolution of Piperaceae. This talk will discuss the results of our analyses, highlighting biogeographic patterns and evolutionary processes, such as hybridization, involved in shaping extant diversity this taxonomically challenging group.

1 - Boise State University, Biological Sciences, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID, 83725-1515, USA
2 - Botanical Research Foundation of Idaho, 637 East Warm Springs Avenue, Boise, ID, 83712, USA

Keywords:
chloroplast
genome skimming
nuclear ribosomal DNA
phylogenomics
comparative genomics
Pipera.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: PHYL2, Phylogenomics II
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 2020
Time: 1:00 PM
Number: PHYL2003
Abstract ID:410
Candidate for Awards:None