Mechanisms underlying flower color variation in Asian species ofMeconopsis: A preliminary phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast DNA and anthocyanin biosynthesis genes

Abstract

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) harbors the highest species diversity of alpine plants in the world, with a spectacular diversity of flower colors. Among these QTP plants, the genus Meconopsis comprises more than 50 species, for which flower color is a key diagnostic character. However, the mechanisms underlying flower color variation have rarely been investigated. In the present study, we used three chloroplast (cp) DNA fragments and two anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (F3H and F3 0 H) for phylogenetic reconstruction of Meconopsis. We revealed the presence of three well-supported clades and/or subclades in the cpDNA and nuclear gene trees; further, flower color transition occurred in each lineage. The results of selection tests and preliminary expression analyses of the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes indicate that the pigment pathway leading to cyanidin is active in blue and red flowers of Meconopsis; further, a blue-red color shift is not attributable to an on/off switching of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway (ABP) branches. Together with the results of previous flower pigment analyses, our findings suggest that blue-red flower color transitions in Meconopsis are attributable to modification of cyanidin. Our molecular dating results indicate that the lineage diversification in Meconopsis is closely related to the QTP uplift; thus, it is likely that environmental changes arising from the QTP uplift have played important roles in driving the diversification of flavonoids, through which species of Meconopsis have adapted physiologically to diverse habitats.

Molecular and morphological evaluation of Meconopsis georgei and M. castanea in southwest China

“…Although flower colour is changeable in Meconopsis, these two types of colour are usually incompatible and have different pigment bases. Red, violet or blue are due to different derivatives from the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, while yellow is due to suppression of anthocyanin (Zhao et al 2014) or dominated by some different compound (Acheson et al 1962, Ono et al 2006. In the natural environment, it is easy to find colour mutations in blue Meconopsis, such as M. horridula and M. grandis, however, the flower colour in yellow Meconopsis, such as M. integrifolia and M. sulphurea is more stable.…”

Comparative Analysis of Chloroplast Genome of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae) Provides Insights into Their Genomic Evolution and Adaptation to High Elevation

“…In plant species, the cp genome is widely used for phylogenetic analyses and molecular marker development to improve phylogenetic resolution at the interspecific level. A great deal of research has been conducted using molecular markers in the study of the phylogeny of the genus Meconopsis [16,17]. Previous studies have complemented previous morphology-based treatments on the phylogenetic relationships of a few Meconopsis species through large-scale sampling and the construction of phylogenetic models using molecular markers [5].…”

Interspecific Variation and Phylogenic Architecture of Pinus densata and the Hybrid of Pinus tabuliformis×Pinus Yunnanensis in the Pinus densata Habitat: an Electrical Impedance Spectra Perspective

“…Mao, Li (7) studied eight morphometric traits of cone and seeds in Pinus densata and the parental species and concluded that Pinus densata is more reproductively successful in the natural habitat than the local Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus yunnanensis. Among the three Pinus species, the cross barrier is weak and the fitness differences are determined by local adaptation [8] . These phenotyping assessments are laborious to compare the interspecific variation, involving field sampling, common garden trials, experimental measurement and destructive evaluation methods.…”