Seagrass genomes reveal ancient polyploidy and adaptations to the marine environment

Nature Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(2), P. 240 - 255

Published: Jan. 26, 2024

Language: Английский

---

A somatic genetic clock for clonal species

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 10, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Adaptive Genetic Differentiation Between Spatially Proximate Annual and Perennial Life History Types of a Marine Foundation Species

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 20, 2025

ABSTRACT Diversity in life expectancy is common flowering plants. In the seagrass Zostera marina , a vital foundation species estuarine ecosystems, annual and perennial varieties occur close proximity, raising question of whether these lifespan strategies represent locally adapted genetic variation or plastic phenotypes influenced by environment. Our study combined field transplant experiments population analyses to investigate phenotypic (juvenile survival, flowering, branching) differentiation between paired eelgrass meadows single estuary (Willapa Bay, northeast Pacific Ocean, USA) over one growing season. A garden reciprocal experiment, based on seedlings, demonstrated no differential survival maturity but revealed greater likelihood annual‐sourced plants branching perennial‐sourced shoots. Further, reproductive trait performance was for local individuals compared non‐local ones, which indicates adaptive differentiation. Experimental transplants seeds into both perennial‐dominated sites flowered within few months, regardless overwintering conditions. Estimates structure 325 SNPs (RAD‐seq) fine‐scale history types. Population assignment tests identified two distinct groups, distinguished mainly seedling not, geographic source outplant location. Tests outlier loci histories provided further evidence adaptation. These insights shed light factors governing cycle resilience Z. offering implications evolution trait‐based management populations.

Language: Английский

---

Variation in genomic vulnerability to climate change across temperate populations of eelgrass (Zostera marina)

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract A global decline in seagrass populations has led to renewed calls for their conservation as important providers of biogenic and foraging habitat, shoreline stabilization carbon storage. Eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) occupies the largest geographic range among species spanning a commensurately broad spectrum environmental conditions. In Canada, eelgrass is managed single phylogroup despite occurring across three oceans ocean temperatures salinity gradients. Previous research focused on applying relatively few markers reveal population structure eelgrass, whereas whole‐genome approach warranted investigate cryptic inhabiting different basins localized We used pooled re‐sequencing characterize structure, gene flow associations 23 ranging from Northeast United States Atlantic, subarctic Pacific Canada. identified over 500,000 SNPs, which when mapped chromosome‐level genome assembly revealed six clades study area, with pairwise F ST 0 neighbouring 0.54 between Atlantic coasts. Genetic diversity was highest lowest subarctic, consistent colonization Arctic less than 300 kya. Using redundancy analyses two climate change projection scenarios, we found that are predicted be potentially more vulnerable through genomic offset predictions. Conservation planning Canada should thus ensure representative each clade included within national network so latent genetic protected, maintained. Northern populations, particular, may require additional mitigation measures given potential susceptibility rapidly changing climate.

Language: Английский

---

Worldwide Population Genomics Reveal Long-Term Stability of the Mitochondrial Genome Architecture in a Keystone Marine Plant

Genome Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Abstract Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of flowering plants are composed multiple chromosomes. Recombination within and between the mitochondrial chromosomes may generate diverse DNA molecules termed isoforms. The isoform copy number composition can be dynamic among individual due to uneven replication homologous recombination. Nonetheless, despite their functional importance, level mitogenome conservation species remains understudied. Whether ontogenetic variation translates evolution over generations is currently unknown. Here we show that seagrass Zostera marina conserved worldwide populations diverged ca. 350,000 years ago. Using long-read sequencing, characterized Z. genome inferred repertoire recombination-induced configurations. To characterize architecture study its evolution, examined in meristematic region sampled 16 from Pacific Atlantic oceans. Our results reveal a striking similarity relative number, indicating high distantly related plant germline, notable variability during ontogenesis. supplies link observations mitogenomes at individuals long-term evolution.

Language: Английский

---

Heteroplasmy Is Rare in Plant Mitochondria Compared with Plastids despite Similar Mutation Rates

Molecular Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 41(7)

Published: June 27, 2024

Abstract Plant cells harbor two membrane-bound organelles containing their own genetic material—plastids and mitochondria. Although the coexist coevolve within same plant cells, they differ in genome copy number, intracellular organization, mode of segregation. How these attributes affect time to fixation or, conversely, loss neutral alleles is currently unresolved. Here, we show that mitochondria plastids share mutation rate, yet plastid remain a heteroplasmic state significantly longer compared with mitochondrial alleles. By analyzing variants across populations marine flowering Zostera marina simulating organelle allele dynamics, examine determinants segregation fixation. Our results suggest bottlenecks on cell population, e.g. during branching or seeding, stratification meristematic tissue are important dynamics. Furthermore, prolonged dynamics due unknown active partition mechanism. The dissimilarity between novel at different levels organization may manifest differences adaptation processes. study uncovers fundamental principles population genetics essential for further investigations long-term evolution molecular dating divergence events.

Language: Английский

---

Empowering Regional Conservation: Genetic Diversity Assessments as a Tool for Eelgrass Management

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 12, 2025

To halt the loss of biodiversity, collaboration among scientists, managers and decision-makers is vital. Although biodiversity a global problem, management actions influencing diversity are often on local to regional scale. Our study an example conservation genomic assessment developed in between scientists managers. We used 2bRAD sequencing assess 18 eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows northwestern Sweden, area that has experienced large losses since 1980s. Genetic was comparable other assessed Atlantic, but order magnitude lower than Pacific. All one meadow showed high rates sexual reproduction. Almost all were divergent grouped into five genetic clusters. Four clusters correspond geographic regions can be define units. Meadows areas with decline 1980s 2020s more inbred increase eelgrass. Overall, our results indicate striving protect number within each cluster important for maintaining connectivity Sweden likely beneficial wider ecosystem. estimate current indicators essential variables discuss their challenges marine facultative clonal species. showcase how regional-scale assessments serve as foundation protection restoration priority

Language: Английский

---

Complete chloroplast genome of the marine eelgrass Zostera pacifica (Zosteraceae, Plantae) from Monterey, California

Microbiology Resource Announcements, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

We present the complete chloroplast genome of eelgrass Zostera pacifica from Monterey, California. The is circular and 144,675 bp in length. It consists 82 protein-coding, 31 transfer RNA, 8 ribosomal RNA genes 99.44%-99.42% similar nucleotide pairwise identity to closely related species marina.

Language: Английский

---

Host traits and temperature predict biogeographical variation in seagrass disease prevalence

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2040)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Diseases are ubiquitous in natural systems, with broad effects across populations, communities and ecosystems. However, the drivers of many diseases remain poorly understood, particularly marine environments, inhibiting effective conservation management measures. We examined biogeographical patterns infection foundational seagrass Zostera marina by parasitic protist Labyrinthula zosterae , causative agent wasting disease, >20° latitude two ocean basins. then identified characterized relationships among disease prevalence a suite host traits environmental variables. Host characteristics transmission dynamics explained most variance our survey, yet particular underlying these varied between oceans, size nitrogen content important Pacific density Atlantic. Temperature was also key predictor prevalence, Ocean. The strength shape some predictors differed large-scale survey versus previous experimental site-specific work. These results show that both environment influence host–parasite interactions, such scale up predictably, whereas others appear to depend on regional or local context.

Language: Английский

---

Need for Mechanisms to Monitor Ocean Circulation‐Driven Seagrass Population Expansions

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: March 27, 2025

ABSTRACT Seagrass beds are increasingly degraded; however, their protection and restoration still confined to localized marine areas, making it difficult establish connectivity between differently protected restored areas. One limiting factor is the lack of understanding processes mechanisms contributing seagrass population expansion at ocean area scale, which main driver dispersal via oceanic circulation. Coastal China. Taxon: Eelgrass ( Zostera marina )Using eelgrass as a model species, we propose strategy resequence samples from different geographical populations, analyze genetic structure seagrasses by combining genomics evolution, construct screen an optimal colonization history, calibrate timing events, thereby deduce evolutionary history populations. We constructed three‐dimensional hydrodynamic based on FVCOM numerical clarify seasonal changes in surface circulation patterns natural distribution areas precisely locate pathways populations differentiation. This study elucidated proliferation target physical driving provides theoretical basis for evolution restoration.

Language: Английский

---