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Barrett CF, Corbett CW, Thixton-Nolan HL. A lack of population structure characterizes the invasive Lonicera japonica in West Virginia and across eastern North America. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.01.530604. [PMID: 36909462 PMCID: PMC10002767 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.01.530604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Invasive plant species cause massive ecosystem damage globally, yet represent powerful case studies in population genetics and rapid adaptation to new habitats. The availability of digitized herbarium collections data, and the ubiquity of invasive species across the landscape make them highly accessible for studies of invasion history and population dynamics associated with their introduction, establishment, spread, and ecological interactions. Here we focus on Lonicera japonica, one of the most damaging invasive vine species in North America. We leveraged digitized collections data and contemporary field collections to reconstruct the invasion history and characterize patterns of genomic variation in the eastern USA, using a straightforward method for generating nucleotide polymorphism data and a recently published, chromosome-level genome for the species. We found an overall lack of population structure among sites in northern West Virginia, USA, as well as across sites in the central and eastern USA. Heterozygosity and population differentiation were both low based on Fst, analysis of molecular variance, principal components analysis, and cluster-based analyses. We also found evidence of high inbreeding coefficients and significant linkage disequilibrium, in line with the ability of this otherwise outcrossing, perennial species to propagate vegetatively. Our findings corroborate earlier studies based on allozyme data, and suggest that intentional, human-assisted spread explains the lack of population structure, as this species was planted for erosion control and as an ornamental, escaping cultivation repeatedly across the USA. Finally, we discuss how plant invasion genomics can be incorporated into experiential undergraduate education as a way to integrate teaching and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig F. Barrett
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 5209 Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA 26506
| | - Cameron W. Corbett
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 5209 Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA 26506
| | - Hana L. Thixton-Nolan
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 5209 Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA 26506
| | - Biology 320 Class
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 5209 Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA 26506
- Biology 320 Capstone Students, “Total Science Experience: Genomics” [Appendix 1]
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Barrett CF, Ramachandran D, Chen CH, Corbett CW, Huebner CD, Sinn BT, Yu WB, Suetsugu K. Mitochondrial genome sequencing and analysis of the invasive Microstegium vimineum: a resource for systematics, invasion history, and management. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.10.527995. [PMID: 36798355 PMCID: PMC9934601 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.10.527995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Premise of the Research Plants remain underrepresented among species with sequenced mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), due to the difficulty in assembly with short-read technology. Invasive species lag behind crops and other economically important species in this respect, representing a lack of tools for management and land conservation efforts. Methodology The mitogenome of Microstegium vimineum, one of the most damaging invasive plant species in North America, was sequenced and analyzed using long-read data, providing a resource for biologists and managers. We conducted analyses of genome content, phylogenomic analyses among grasses and relatives based on mitochondrial coding regions, and an analysis of mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphism in this invasive grass species. Pivotal Results The assembly is 478,010 bp in length and characterized by two large, inverted repeats, and a large, direct repeat. However, the genome could not be circularized, arguing against a "master circle" structure. Long-read assemblies with data subsets revealed several alternative genomic conformations, predominantly associated with large repeats. Plastid-like sequences comprise 2.4% of the genome, with further evidence of Class I and Class II transposable element-like sequences. Phylogenetic analysis placed M. vimineum with other Microstegium species, excluding M. nudum, but with weak support. Analysis of polymorphic sites across 112 accessions of M. vimineum from the native and invasive ranges revealed a complex invasion history. Conclusions We present an in-depth analysis of mitogenome structure, content, phylogenetic relationships, and range-wide genomic variation in M. vimineum's invasive US range. The mitogenome of M. vimineum is typical of other andropogonoid grasses, yet mitochondrial sequence variation across the invasive and native ranges is extensive. Our findings suggest multiple introductions to the US over the last century, with subsequent spread, secondary contact, long-distance dispersal, and possibly post-invasion selection on awn phenotypes. Efforts to produce genomic resources for invasive species, including sequenced mitochondrial genomes, will continue to provide tools for their effective management, and to help predict and prevent future invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig F. Barrett
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA 26506
| | - Dhanushya Ramachandran
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA 26506
| | - Chih-Hui Chen
- Endemic Species Research Institute, 1 Ming-Sheng East Road, Jiji, Nantou 552, Taiwan
| | - Cameron W. Corbett
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA 26506
| | - Cynthia D. Huebner
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA 26506
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, 180 Canfield Street, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA 26505
- Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, 204 Evansdale Greenhouse, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA 26506
| | - Brandon T. Sinn
- Department of Biology and Earth Science, Otterbein University, 1 South Grove Street, Westerville, OH USA 43081
- Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, 1 Jelgavas iela, Riga, Latvia LV-1004
| | - Wen-Bin Yu
- Center for Integrative Conservation Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, CAS Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China
| | - Kenji Suetsugu
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada-ku, Kobe, 657-8501, Japan
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Barrett CF, Huebner CD, Bender ZA, Budinsky TA, Corbett CW, Latvis M, McKain MR, Motley M, Skibicki SV, Thixton HL, Santee MV, Cumberledge AN. Digitized collections elucidate invasion history and patterns of awn polymorphism in Microstegium vimineum. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2022; 109:689-705. [PMID: 35435240 PMCID: PMC9327524 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Digitized collections can help illuminate the mechanisms behind the establishment and spread of invasive plants. These databases provide a record of traits in space and time that allows for investigation of abiotic and biotic factors that influence invasive species. METHODS Over 1100 digitized herbarium records were examined to investigate the invasion history and trait variation of Microstegium vimineum. Presence-absence of awns was investigated to quantify geographic patterns of this polymorphic trait, which serves several functions in grasses, including diaspore burial and dispersal to germination sites. Floret traits were further quantified, and genomic analyses of contemporary samples were conducted to investigate the history of M. vimineum's introduction and spread into North America. RESULTS Herbarium records revealed similar patterns of awn polymorphism in native and invaded ranges of M. vimineum, with awned forms predominating at higher latitudes and awnless forms at lower latitudes. Herbarium records and genomic data suggested initial introduction and spread of the awnless form in the southeastern United States, followed by a putative secondary invasion and spread of the awned form from eastern Pennsylvania. Awned forms have longer florets, and floret size varies significantly with latitude. There is evidence of a transition zone with short-awned specimens at mid-latitudes. Genomic analyses revealed two distinct clusters corresponding to awnless and awned forms, with evidence of admixture. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the power of herbarium data to elucidate the invasion history of a problematic weed in North America and, together with genomic data, reveal a possible key trait in introduction success: presence or absence of an awn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig F. Barrett
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
| | - Cynthia D. Huebner
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
- USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station180 Canfield StreetMorgantownWest Virginia26505USA
- Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, 4100 Agricultural Sciences BuildingP.O. Box 6108MorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
| | - Zoe A. Bender
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
- Department of BiologyGettysburg College300 North Washington StreetGettysburgPennsylvania17325USA
| | - Trezalka A. Budinsky
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Pittsburgh4249 Fifth AvenuePittsburghPennsylvania15260USA
| | - Cameron W. Corbett
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
| | - Maribeth Latvis
- Department of Natural Resource ManagementSouth Dakota State University, 1390 College Avenue, South Dakota State UniversityBrookingsSouth Dakota57007USA
| | - Michael R. McKain
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alabama300 Hackberry LaneTuscaloosaAlabama35487USA
| | - M'Kayla Motley
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alabama300 Hackberry LaneTuscaloosaAlabama35487USA
| | - Samuel V. Skibicki
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
| | - Hana L. Thixton
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
| | - Mathilda V. Santee
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
| | - Aubrey N. Cumberledge
- Department of BiologyWest Virginia University53 Campus DriveMorgantownWest Virginia26506USA
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