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Repeatome evolution across space and time: Unraveling repeats dynamics in the plant genus Erythrostemon Klotzsch (Leguminosae Juss.)
  • +5
  • Natália Castro,
  • Bruno Vilela,
  • Yennifer Mata-Sucre,
  • André Marques,
  • Edeline Gagnon,
  • Gwilym Lewis,
  • Lucas Costa,
  • Luiz Gustavo Rodrigues Souza
Natália Castro
UFPE
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Bruno Vilela
UFBA
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Yennifer Mata-Sucre
UFPE
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André Marques
Max Planck Insitute of Plant Breeding Research
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Edeline Gagnon
University of Guelph
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Gwilym Lewis
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
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Lucas Costa
UFPE
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Luiz Gustavo Rodrigues Souza
UFPE

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Fluctuations in genomic repetitive fractions (repeatome) are known to impact several facets of evolution, such as ecological adaptation and speciation processes. Therefore, investigating the divergence of repetitive elements can provide insights into an important evolutionary force. However, it is not clear how the different repetitive element lineages are impacted by the ecological changes. To discuss this, we used the Neotropical legume genus Erythrostemon (Caesalpinioideae) as a model, given its ancient origin (~33 Mya), lineage-specific niche conservatism, macroecological heterogeneity, and disjunct distribution in Meso- and South American (MA and SA, respectively) lineages. We performed a comparative repeatomic analysis of 18 Erythrostemon species to test the impact of environmental variables over repeats diversification. Overall, repeatome composition was diverse, with high abundances of satDNAs and Ty3/gypsy-Tekay transposable elements, predominantly in the MA and SA lineages, respectively. Remarkably the first divergent lineages (E. pannosus and E. placidus) of the MA clade preserve plesiomorphic Tekay and satDNA patterns. This pattern was altered in the MA-sensu stricto subclade with a striking genomic differentiation (expansion of satDNA and retraction of Tekay) associated with the colonization of a new environment in Central America around 20 Mya. Our data reveal that the current species-specific Tekay pool was the result of two bursts of amplification probably in the Miocene, with distinct patterns for the MA and SA repeatomes. This suggests a strong role of the Tekay elements as modulators of the genome-environment interaction in Erythrostemon, providing macroevolutionary insights about mechanisms of repeatome differentiation and plant diversification across space and time.
Submitted to Molecular Ecology
19 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Jul 20241st Revision Received
18 Jul 2024Assigned to Editor
18 Jul 2024Submission Checks Completed
18 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Accept