Advances in the studies of plant diversity and ecological adaptation in the subnival ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Yang, Yang; Chen, Jianguo; Song, Bo; Yang, Ning; Peng, Deli; Zhang, Jianwen; Deng, Tao; Luo, Dong; Ma, Xiang-Guang; Zhou, Z.

doi:10.1360/tb-2019-0054

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Subnival ecosystems, existing just below the permanent snowline in mountainous regions, are subject to high levels of irradiation, freezing temperatures and hypoxia throughout the year, is the most inhospitable climate zone at the highest altitude among terrestrial ecosystems, making it nearly lifeless for most higher animals and plants 1 . Such ecosystems are widely distributed in the high mountains of North America, Europe, and Asia (especially the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau [QTP]) 2 (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-omics data provide insight into the adaptation of the glasshouse plant Rheum nobile to the alpine subnival zone

Li,

Niu,

Zhu

et al. 2023

Commun Biol

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Subnival glasshouse plants provide a text-book example of high-altitude adaptation with reproductive organs enclosed in specialized semi-translucent bracts, monocarpic reproduction and continuous survival under stress. Here, we present genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses for one such plant, the Noble rhubarb (Rheum nobile). Comparative genomic analyses show that an expanded number of genes and retained genes from two recent whole-genome duplication events are both relevant to subnival adaptation of this species. Most photosynthesis genes are downregulated within bracts compared to within leaves, and indeed bracts exhibit a sharp reduction in photosynthetic pigments, indicating that the bracts no longer perform photosynthesis. Contrastingly, genes related to flavonol synthesis are upregulated, providing enhanced defense against UV irradiation damage. Additionally, anatomically abnormal mesophyll combined with the downregulation of genes related to mesophyll differentiation in bracts illustrates the innovation and specification of the glass-like bracts. We further detect substantial accumulation of antifreeze proteins (e.g. AFPs, LEAs) and various metabolites (e.g. Proline, Protective sugars, procyanidins) in over-wintering roots. These findings provide new insights into subnival adaptation and the evolution of glasshouse alpine plants.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-omics data provide insight into the adaptation of the glasshouse plant Rheum nobile to the alpine subnival zone

Li,

Niu,

Zhu

et al. 2023

Commun Biol

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“…(2) Protection from UV Beyond their influence on temperature, bracts also play a significant protective role against damaging UV radiation. Until recently, bract-mediated UV protection had been documented mainly in 'glasshouse' plants (Sun et al, 2014;Yang et al, 2019). Bracts of Rheum and Saussurea strongly reduced the intensity of UV radiation that can reach the flowers (Omori et al, 2000;Yang & Sun, 2009), with bracts screening out 95% of the UV-B radiation in Rheum nobile and Rheum alexandrae, protecting the internal shoot apex and reproductive organs from UV damage (Omori & Ohba, 1996;Song et al, 2013Song et al, , 2015b.…”

Section: Adaptation To Abiotic Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multifunctionality of angiosperm floral bracts: a review

Song,

Chen,

Lev‐Yadun

et al. 2024

Biological Reviews

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Floral bracts (bracteoles, cataphylls) are leaf‐like organs that subtend flowers or inflorescences but are of non‐floral origin; they occur in a wide diversity of species, representing multiple independent origins, and exhibit great variation in form and function. Although much attention has been paid to bracts over the past 150 years, our understanding of their adaptive significance remains remarkably incomplete. This is because most studies of bract function and evolution focus on only one or a few selective factors. It is widely recognised that bracts experience selection mediated by pollinators, particularly for enhancing pollinator attraction through strong visual, olfactory, or echo‐acoustic contrast with the background and through signalling the presence of pollinator rewards, either honestly (providing rewards for pollinators), or deceptively (attraction without reward or even trapping pollinators). However, studies in recent decades have demonstrated that bract evolution is also affected by agents other than pollinators. Bracts can protect flowers, fruits, or seeds from herbivores by displaying warning signals, camouflaging conspicuous reproductive organs, or by providing physical barriers or toxic chemicals. Reviews of published studies show that bracts can also promote seed dispersal and ameliorate the effects of abiotic stressors, such as low temperature, strong ultraviolet radiation, heavy rain, drought, and/or mechanical abrasion, on reproductive organs or for the plants' pollinators. In addition, green bracts and greening of colourful bracts after pollination promote photosynthetic activity, providing substantial carbon (photosynthates) for fruit or seed development, especially late in a plant's life cycle or season, when leaves have started to senesce. A further layer of complexity derives from the fact that the agents of selection driving the evolution of bracts vary between species and even between different developmental stages within a species, and selection by one agent can be reinforced or opposed by other agents. In summary, our survey of the literature reveals that bracts are multifunctional and subject to multiple agents of selection. To understand fully the functional and evolutionary significance of bracts, it is necessary to consider multiple selection agents throughout the life of the plant, using integrative approaches to data collection and analysis.

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“…Such thermal benefits are essential for growth, development, metabolism and reproduction of plants that inhabit the consistently cold, windy environments of alpine regions 25 . In addition, the downward orientation of flowers and glasshouse-like leaves are assumed to be helpful in protecting the sensitive reproductive parts from UV radiation and frequent storms 10 , 12 , 13 , 27 – 29 . Despite great progress toward understanding the functional ecology of these extremophiles, the genetic basis facilitating their fascinating adaptation is poorly understood, owing to the lack of genomic information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The genome of the glasshouse plant noble rhubarb (Rheum nobile) provides a window into alpine adaptation

et al. 2023

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Glasshouse plants are species that trap warmth via specialized morphology and physiology, mimicking a human glasshouse. In the Himalayan alpine region, the highly specialized glasshouse morphology has independently evolved in distinct lineages to adapt to intensive UV radiation and low temperature. Here we demonstrate that the glasshouse structure – specialized cauline leaves – is highly effective in absorbing UV light but transmitting visible and infrared light, creating an optimal microclimate for the development of reproductive organs. We reveal that this glasshouse syndrome has evolved at least three times independently in the rhubarb genus Rheum. We report the genome sequence of the flagship glasshouse plant Rheum nobile and identify key genetic network modules in association with the morphological transition to specialized glasshouse leaves, including active secondary cell wall biogenesis, upregulated cuticular cutin biosynthesis, and suppression of photosynthesis and terpenoid biosynthesis. The distinct cell wall organization and cuticle development might be important for the specialized optical property of glasshouse leaves. We also find that the expansion of LTRs has likely played an important role in noble rhubarb adaptation to high elevation environments. Our study will enable additional comparative analyses to identify the genetic basis underlying the convergent occurrence of glasshouse syndrome.

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Advances in the studies of plant diversity and ecological adaptation in the subnival ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Cited by 11 publications

References 35 publications

Multi-omics data provide insight into the adaptation of the glasshouse plant Rheum nobile to the alpine subnival zone

Multi-omics data provide insight into the adaptation of the glasshouse plant Rheum nobile to the alpine subnival zone

Multifunctionality of angiosperm floral bracts: a review

The genome of the glasshouse plant noble rhubarb (Rheum nobile) provides a window into alpine adaptation

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