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Saunders PA, Ferre-Ortega C, Hill PL, Simakov O, Ezaz T, Burridge CP, Wapstra E. Using a Handful of Transcriptomes to Detect Sex-Linked Markers and Develop Molecular Sexing Assays in a Species with Homomorphic Sex Chromosomes. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae060. [PMID: 38526014 PMCID: PMC11003529 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
To understand the biology of a species, it is often crucial to be able to differentiate males and females. However, many species lack easily identifiable sexually dimorphic traits. In those that possess sex chromosomes, molecular sexing offers a good alternative, and molecular sexing assays can be developed through the comparison of male and female genomic sequences. However, in many nonmodel species, sex chromosomes are poorly differentiated, and identifying sex-linked sequences and developing sexing assays can be challenging. In this study, we highlight a simple transcriptome-based procedure for the detection of sex-linked markers suitable for the development of sexing assays that circumvents limitations of more commonly used approaches. We apply it to the spotted snow skink Carinascincus ocellatus, a viviparous lizard with homomorphic XY chromosomes that has environmentally induced sex reversal. With transcriptomes from three males and three females alone, we identify thousands of putative Y-linked sequences. We confirm linkage through alignment of assembled transcripts to a distantly related lizard genome and readily design multiple single locus polymerase chain reaction primers to sex C. ocellatus and related species. Our approach also facilitates valuable comparisons of sex determining systems on a broad taxonomic scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Saunders
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Carles Ferre-Ortega
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Peta L Hill
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Oleg Simakov
- Department of Molecular Evolution and Development, University of Vienna, Vienna 1010, Austria
| | - Tariq Ezaz
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Christopher P Burridge
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Erik Wapstra
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7000, Australia
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A decaploid pitcher plant genome reveals a novel role for recessive subgenomes. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:1950-1951. [PMID: 37996655 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01563-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
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3
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Saul F, Scharmann M, Wakatake T, Rajaraman S, Marques A, Freund M, Bringmann G, Channon L, Becker D, Carroll E, Low YW, Lindqvist C, Gilbert KJ, Renner T, Masuda S, Richter M, Vogg G, Shirasu K, Michael TP, Hedrich R, Albert VA, Fukushima K. Subgenome dominance shapes novel gene evolution in the decaploid pitcher plant Nepenthes gracilis. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:2000-2015. [PMID: 37996654 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01562-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Subgenome dominance after whole-genome duplication generates distinction in gene number and expression at the level of chromosome sets, but it remains unclear how this process may be involved in evolutionary novelty. Here we generated a chromosome-scale genome assembly of the Asian pitcher plant Nepenthes gracilis to analyse how its novel traits (dioecy and carnivorous pitcher leaves) are linked to genomic evolution. We found a decaploid karyotype and a clear indication of subgenome dominance. A male-linked and pericentromerically located region on the putative sex chromosome was identified in a recessive subgenome and was found to harbour three transcription factors involved in flower and pollen development, including a likely neofunctionalized LEAFY duplicate. Transcriptomic and syntenic analyses of carnivory-related genes suggested that the paleopolyploidization events seeded genes that subsequently formed tandem clusters in recessive subgenomes with specific expression in the digestive zone of the pitcher, where specialized cells digest prey and absorb derived nutrients. A genome-scale analysis suggested that subgenome dominance likely contributed to evolutionary innovation by permitting recessive subgenomes to diversify functions of novel tissue-specific duplicates. Our results provide insight into how polyploidy can give rise to novel traits in divergent and successful high-ploidy lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Saul
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mathias Scharmann
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology (IBB), University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Takanori Wakatake
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sitaram Rajaraman
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - André Marques
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Freund
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Bringmann
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Louisa Channon
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Becker
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Emily Carroll
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Yee Wen Low
- Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Parks Board, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Kadeem J Gilbert
- Department of Plant Biology & W.K. Kellogg Biological Station & Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
| | - Tanya Renner
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Sachiko Masuda
- Riken Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Michaela Richter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Gerd Vogg
- Botanical Garden, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ken Shirasu
- Riken Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Todd P Michael
- Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rainer Hedrich
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Victor A Albert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Kenji Fukushima
- Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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Baharin A, Ting TY, Goh HH. Omics Approaches in Uncovering Molecular Evolution and Physiology of Botanical Carnivory. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:408. [PMID: 36679121 PMCID: PMC9867145 DOI: 10.3390/plants12020408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Systems biology has been increasingly applied with multiple omics for a holistic comprehension of complex biological systems beyond the reductionist approach that focuses on individual molecules. Different high-throughput omics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have been implemented to study the molecular mechanisms of botanical carnivory. This covers almost all orders of carnivorous plants, namely Caryophyllales, Ericales, Lamiales, and Oxalidales, except Poales. Studies using single-omics or integrated multi-omics elucidate the compositional changes in nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. The omics studies on carnivorous plants have led to insights into the carnivory origin and evolution, such as prey capture and digestion as well as the physiological adaptations of trap organ formation. Our understandings of botanical carnivory are further enhanced by the discoveries of digestive enzymes and transporter proteins that aid in efficient nutrient sequestration alongside dynamic molecular responses to prey. Metagenomics studies revealed the mutualistic relationships between microbes and carnivorous plants. Lastly, in silico analysis accelerated the functional characterization of new molecules from carnivorous plants. These studies have provided invaluable molecular data for systems understanding of carnivorous plants. More studies are needed to cover the diverse species with convergent evolution of botanical carnivory.
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Zhang X, Wang X, Pan L, Guo W, Li Y, Wang W. Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of MADS-box transcription factors reveal their involvement in sex determination of hardy rubber tree ( Eucommia ulmoides oliv.). Front Genet 2023; 14:1138703. [PMID: 36896236 PMCID: PMC9988917 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1138703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Eucommia ulmoides is a famous rubber-producing and medicinal tree species that produces unisexual flowers on separate individuals from the earliest stage of stamen/pistil primordium formation. To explore the genetic regulation pathway of sex in E. ulmoides, comprehensive genome-wide analyses and tissue-/sex-specific transcriptome comparisons of MADS-box transcription factors were performed for the first time in this work. Quantitative real-time PCR technique was employed to further validate the expression of genes that are assigned to floral organ ABCDE model. A total of 66 non-redundant E. ulmoides MADS-box (EuMADS) genes were identified, they were classified into Type I (M-type, 17 genes) and Type II (MIKC, 49 genes). Complex protein-motif composition, exon-intron structure and phytohormone-response cis-elements were detected in MIKC-EuMADS genes. Furthermore, 24 differentially-expressed EuMADS genes (DEGs) between male and female flowers, and two DEGs between male and female leaves were revealed. Amongst the 14 floral organ ABCDE model-related genes, there were 6 (A/B/C/E-class) and 5 (A/D/E-class) genes displayed male- and female-biased expression respectively. In particular, one B-class gene EuMADS39 and one A-class gene EuMADS65 were almost exclusively expressed in male trees, no matter in flower or leaf tissues. Collectively, these results suggested a critical role of MADS-box transcription factors in sex determination of E. ulmoides, which is conducive to decoding the molecular regulation mechanism of sex in E. ulmoides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzhi Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linsi Pan
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongquan Li
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wencai Wang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang X, Pan L, Guo W, Li Y, Wang W. A convergent mechanism of sex determination in dioecious plants: Distinct sex-determining genes display converged regulation on floral B-class genes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:953445. [PMID: 36092432 PMCID: PMC9459113 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.953445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sex determination in dioecious plants has been broadly and progressively studied with the blooming of genome sequencing and editing techniques. This provides us with a great opportunity to explore the evolution and genetic mechanisms underlining the sex-determining system in dioecious plants. In this study, comprehensively reviewing advances in sex-chromosomes, sex-determining genes, and floral MADS-box genes in dioecious plants, we proposed a convergent model that governs plant dioecy across divergent species using a cascade regulation pathway connecting sex-determining genes and MADS-box genes e.g., B-class genes. We believe that this convergent mechanism of sex determination in dioecious plants will shed light on our understanding of gene regulation and evolution of plant dioecy. Perspectives concerning the evolutionary pathway of plant dioecy are also suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianzhi Zhang
- Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linsi Pan
- Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongquan Li
- Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wencai Wang
- Department of Molecular of Biology, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Käfer J, Lartillot N, Marais GAB, Picard F. Detecting sex-linked genes using genotyped individuals sampled in natural populations. Genetics 2021; 218:iyab053. [PMID: 33764439 PMCID: PMC8225351 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a method, SDpop, able to infer sex-linkage caused by recombination suppression typical of sex chromosomes. The method is based on the modeling of the allele and genotype frequencies of individuals of known sex in natural populations. It is implemented in a hierarchical probabilistic framework, accounting for different sources of error. It allows statistical testing for the presence or absence of sex chromosomes, and detection of sex-linked genes based on the posterior probabilities in the model. Furthermore, for gametologous sequences, the haplotype and level of nucleotide polymorphism of each copy can be inferred, as well as the divergence between them. We test the method using simulated data, as well as data from both a relatively recent and an old sex chromosome system (the plant Silene latifolia and humans) and show that, for most cases, robust predictions are obtained with 5 to 10 individuals per sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos Käfer
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS, UMR 5558, Université Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Villeurbanne F-69622, France
| | - Nicolas Lartillot
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS, UMR 5558, Université Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Villeurbanne F-69622, France
| | - Gabriel A B Marais
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS, UMR 5558, Université Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Villeurbanne F-69622, France
| | - Franck Picard
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS, UMR 5558, Université Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Villeurbanne F-69622, France
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Shchennikova AV, Beletsky AV, Filyushin MA, Slugina MA, Gruzdev EV, Mardanov AV, Kochieva EZ, Ravin NV. Nepenthes × ventrata Transcriptome Profiling Reveals a Similarity Between the Evolutionary Origins of Carnivorous Traps and Floral Organs. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:643137. [PMID: 34122470 PMCID: PMC8194089 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.643137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of the carnivory syndrome and traps in plants is one of the most intriguing questions in evolutionary biology. In the present study, we addressed it by comparative transcriptomics analysis of leaves and leaf-derived pitcher traps from a predatory plant Nepenthes ventricosa × Nepenthes alata. Pitchers were collected at three stages of development and a total of 12 transcriptomes were sequenced and assembled de novo. In comparison with leaves, pitchers at all developmental stages were found to be highly enriched with upregulated genes involved in stress response, specification of shoot apical meristem, biosynthesis of sucrose, wax/cutin, anthocyanins, and alkaloids, genes encoding digestive enzymes (proteases and oligosaccharide hydrolases), and flowering-related MADS-box genes. At the same time, photosynthesis-related genes in pitchers were transcriptionally downregulated. As the MADS-box genes are thought to be associated with the origin of flower organs from leaves, we suggest that Nepenthes species could have employed a similar pathway involving highly conserved MADS-domain transcription factors to develop a novel structure, pitcher-like trap, for capture and digestion of animal prey during the evolutionary transition to carnivory. The data obtained should clarify the molecular mechanisms of trap initiation and development and may contribute to solving the problem of its emergence in plants.
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Leite Montalvão AP, Kersten B, Fladung M, Müller NA. The Diversity and Dynamics of Sex Determination in Dioecious Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 11:580488. [PMID: 33519840 PMCID: PMC7843427 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.580488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of inflorescences among flowering plants is captivating. Such charm is not only due to the variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and flowers displayed, but also to the range of reproductive systems. For instance, hermaphrodites occur abundantly throughout the plant kingdom with both stamens and carpels within the same flower. Nevertheless, 10% of flowering plants have separate unisexual flowers, either in different locations of the same individual (monoecy) or on different individuals (dioecy). Despite their rarity, dioecious plants provide an excellent opportunity to investigate the mechanisms involved in sex expression and the evolution of sex-determining regions (SDRs) and sex chromosomes. The SDRs and the evolution of dioecy have been studied in many species ranging from Ginkgo to important fruit crops. Some of these studies, for example in asparagus or kiwifruit, identified two sex-determining genes within the non-recombining SDR and may thus be consistent with the classical model for the evolution of dioecy from hermaphroditism via gynodioecy, that predicts two successive mutations, the first one affecting male and the second one female function, becoming linked in a region of suppressed recombination. On the other hand, aided by genome sequencing and gene editing, single factor sex determination has emerged in other species, such as persimmon or poplar. Despite the diversity of sex-determining mechanisms, a tentative comparative analysis of the known sex-determining genes and candidates in different species suggests that similar genes and pathways may be employed repeatedly for the evolution of dioecy. The cytokinin signaling pathway appears important for sex determination in several species regardless of the underlying genetic system. Additionally, tapetum-related genes often seem to act as male-promoting factors when sex is determined via two genes. We present a unified model that synthesizes the genetic networks of sex determination in monoecious and dioecious plants and will support the generation of hypothesis regarding candidate sex determinants in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Birgit Kersten
- Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, Großhansdorf, Germany
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Baránková S, Pascual-Díaz JP, Sultana N, Alonso-Lifante MP, Balant M, Barros K, D'Ambrosio U, Malinská H, Peska V, Pérez Lorenzo I, Kovařík A, Vyskot B, Janoušek B, Garcia S. Sex-chrom, a database on plant sex chromosomes. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 227:1594-1604. [PMID: 32357248 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Baránková
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Joan Pere Pascual-Díaz
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Nusrat Sultana
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Life and Earth Sciences, Jagannath University, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Maria Pilar Alonso-Lifante
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manica Balant
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Karina Barros
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ugo D'Ambrosio
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Hana Malinská
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, 400 96, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Vratislav Peska
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Iván Pérez Lorenzo
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Aleš Kovařík
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Boris Vyskot
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Bohuslav Janoušek
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Královopolská 135, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sònia Garcia
- Institut Botanic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC, Ajuntament de Barcelona), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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11
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Morgan EJ, Kaiser-Bunbury CN, Edwards PJ, Scharmann M, Widmer A, Fleischer-Dogley F, Kettle CJ. Identification of sex-linked markers in the sexually cryptic coco de mer: are males and females produced in equal proportions? AOB PLANTS 2020; 12:plz079. [PMID: 31976055 PMCID: PMC6964228 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plz079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lodoicea maldivica (coco de mer) is a long-lived dioecious palm in which male and female plants are visually indistinguishable when immature, only becoming sexually dimorphic as adults, which in natural forest can take as much as 50 years. Most adult populations in the Seychelles exhibit biased sex ratios, but it is unknown whether this is due to different proportions of male and female plants being produced or to differential mortality. In this study, we developed sex-linked markers in Lodoicea using ddRAD sequencing, enabling us to reliably determine the gender of immature individuals. We screened 589 immature individuals to explore sex ratios across life stages in Lodoicea. The two sex-specific markers resulted in the amplification of male-specific bands (Lm123977 at 405 bp and Lm435135 at 130 bp). Our study of four sub-populations of Lodoicea on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse revealed that the two sexes were produced in approximately equal numbers, with no significant deviation from a 1:1 ratio before the adult stage. We conclude that sex in Lodoicea is genetically determined, suggesting that Lodoicea has a chromosomal sex determination system in which males are the heterogametic sex (XY) and females are homogametic (XX). We discuss the potential causes for observed biased sex ratios in adult populations, and the implications of our results for the life history, ecology and conservation management of Lodoicea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Morgan
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christopher N Kaiser-Bunbury
- Department of Biology, TU Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, UK
| | - Peter J Edwards
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Singapore-ETH Centre, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Mathias Scharmann
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alex Widmer
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Chris J Kettle
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Bioversity International, Maccarese Rome, Italy
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