Genomic Analyses of Phenotypic Differences Between Native and Invasive Populations of Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa)

Abstract

Invasive species represent excellent opportunities to study the evolutionary potential of traits important to success in novel environments. Although some ecologically important traits have been identified in invasive species, little is typically known about the genetic mechanisms that underlie invasion success in non-model species. Here, we use a genome-wide association (GWAS) approach to identify the genetic basis of trait variation in the non-model, invasive, diffuse knapweed [Centaurea diffusa Lam. (Asteraceae)]. To assist with this analysis, we have assembled the first draft genome reference and fully annotated plastome assembly for this species, and one of the first from this large, weedy, genus, which is of major ecological and economic importance. We collected phenotype data from 372 individuals from four native and four invasive populations of C. diffusa grown in a common environment. Using these individuals, we produced reduced-representation genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) libraries and identified 7,058 SNPs. We identify two SNPs associated with leaf width in these populations, a trait which significantly varies between native and invasive populations. In this rosette forming species, increased leaf width is a major component of increased biomass, a common trait in invasive plants correlated with increased fitness. Finally, we use annotations from Arabidopsis thaliana to identify 98 candidate genes that are near the associated SNPs and highlight several good candidates for leaf width variation.

The complete chloroplast genome of Elephantopus scaber L. (Vernonioideae, Asteraceae), a useful ethnomedicinal plant in asia

“… 2019 ), Saussurea polylepis MF69571 (Yun et al., 2017 ), Centaurea diffusa KJ690264 (Turner et al. 2021 ), Atractylodes chinensis MG874805 (Wang et al. 2020 ), Barnadesia lehmannii MH341582.…”

The role of ecogenomics in environmental and forensic discoveries

“…Ecogenomics can be used to study the impact of invasive species on native ecosystems. By comparing the genomic data of invasive species with that of native species, researchers can identify genetic differences that may contribute to the invasiveness of the species (Matheson and McGaughran, 2022;Turner et al, 2021;Neinavaie et al, 2021). This information can help in understanding the mechanisms behind their success and guide management strategies to control their spread and minimize their impact on native biodiversity.…”

Mitochondrial genome sequencing and analysis of the invasiveMicrostegium vimineum: a resource for systematics, invasion history, and management

“…However, the widespread availability and increasing affordability of genome sequencing technologies and bioinformatic platforms are changing the landscape of invasion biology (North et al, 2021). For example, such advances in genomics are allowing more nuanced reconstructions of invasion history (van Boheemen et al, 2017; Sutherland et al, 2021; Bieker et al, 2022), linking of genotypic and phenotypic variation (Turner et al, 2021; Revolinski et al, 2022), epigenetics (Banerjee et al, 2019; Mounger et al, 2021), and forecasting of potential future invasions (Hudson et al, 2021).…”