Genomic insights into adaptive evolution of the species-rich cosmopolitan plant genus Rhododendron

作者：Xiao‐Mei Xia, Huilong Du, Xiaodi Hu, Jingjie Wu, Fu‐Sheng Yang, Congli Li, Si-Xin Huang, Qiang Wang, Chengzhi Liang, Xiao-Quan Wang · 发表于：Cell Reports · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114745 · 被引用次数：33 · 研究领域：Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis、Plant Diversity and Evolution、Plant and animal studies

The species-rich cosmopolitan genus Rhododendron offers a good system for exploring the genomic mechanisms underlying adaptation to diverse habitats. Here, we report high-quality chromosomal-level genome assemblies of nine species, representing all five subgenera, different altitudinal distributions, and all flower color types of this genus. Further comprehensive genomic analyses indicate diverse adaptive strategies employed by Rhododendron, particularly adaptation to alpine and subalpine habitats by expansion/contraction of gene families involved in pathogen defense and oxidative phosphorylation, genomic convergent evolution, and gene copy-number variation. The convergent adaptation to high altitudes is further shown by population genomic analysis of R. nivale from the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains. Moreover, we identify the genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and carotenoids, which play a crucial role in shaping flower color diversity and environmental adaptation. Our study is significant for comprehending plant adaptive evolution and the uneven distribution of species diversity across different geographical regions.