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The ecology of palm genomes: repeat‐associated genome size expansion is constrained by aridity
Author(s) -
Schley Rowan J.,
Pellicer Jaume,
Ge XueJun,
Barrett Craig,
Bellot Sidonie,
Guignard Maïté S.,
Novák Petr,
Suda Jan,
Fraser Donald,
Baker William J.,
Dodsworth Steven,
Macas Jiří,
Leitch Andrew R.,
Leitch Ilia J.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.18323
Subject(s) - genome size , biology , arecaceae , genome , ecology , palm , arid , evolutionary biology , retrotransposon , genetics , gene , transposable element , physics , quantum mechanics
Summary Genome size varies 2400‐fold across plants, influencing their evolution through changes in cell size and cell division rates which impact plants' environmental stress tolerance. Repetitive element expansion explains much genome size diversity, and the processes structuring repeat ‘communities’ are analogous to those structuring ecological communities. However, which environmental stressors influence repeat community dynamics has not yet been examined from an ecological perspective. We measured genome size and leveraged climatic data for 91% of genera within the ecologically diverse palm family (Arecaceae). We then generated genomic repeat profiles for 141 palm species, and analysed repeats using phylogenetically informed linear models to explore relationships between repeat dynamics and environmental factors. We show that palm genome size and repeat ‘community’ composition are best explained by aridity. Specifically, Ty3‐gypsy and TIR elements were more abundant in palm species from wetter environments, which generally had larger genomes, suggesting amplification. By contrast, Ty1‐copia and LINE elements were more abundant in drier environments. Our results suggest that water stress inhibits repeat expansion through selection on upper genome size limits. However, elements that may associate with stress‐response genes (e.g. Ty1‐copia ) have amplified in arid‐adapted palm species. Overall, we provide novel evidence of climate influencing the assembly of repeat ‘communities’.