Opportunities for unlocking the potential of genomics for <scp>A</scp>frican trees

Daru, Barnabas H.; Berger, David Kenneth; Wyk, Ben‐Erik Van

doi:10.1111/nph.13826

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…This DNA barcode release increases the number of plant DNA barcodes from Africa in the BOLD database by 9%, providing a valuable resource for research in the region and filling a recognized gap in the availability of genetic resources for East Africa, and for drylands and savannas and in general (Daru, Berger, et al, ). These ecosystems cover more than half of the African continent (Werner, ) and traverse a variety of temperature, rainfall, and soil conditions (House, Archer, Breshears, Scholes, & Tree‐Grass Interactions Participants, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, consistent with the limitations reported in other plant DNA-barcode studies (Braukmann, Kuzmina, Sills, Zakharov, & Hebert, 2017;Chase et al, 2005;CBOL Plant Working Group et al, 2009;Hollingsworth, Graham, & Little, 2011;Kress & Erickson, 2007;Kress et al, 2009;Kress, Wurdack, Zimmer, Weigt, & Janzen, 2005;Lahaye et al, 2008;Li et al, 2015;Newmaster, Fazekas, Steeves, & Janovec, 2008), this data set achieves a high degree of taxonomic resolution that is nevertheless imperfect. and for drylands and savannas and in general (Daru, Berger, et al, 2016). These ecosystems cover more than half of the African continent (Werner, 1991) and traverse a variety of temperature, rainfall, and soil conditions (House, Archer, Breshears, Scholes, & Tree-Grass Interactions Participants, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within Africa, most of the available DNA barcodes for plants are from Western and Southern Africa (13,998 specimens; 67% of African specimens) (Bezeng et al, 2017;Lahaye et al, 2008;Parmentier et al, 2013). These global and continental biases in the availability of genetic resources for plants limit both basic and applied research priorities in Africa (Daru, Berger, & Wyk, 2016).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Plant DNA‐barcode library and community phylogeny for a semi‐arid East African savanna

Gill

Musili

Kurukura

et al. 2019

Molecular Ecology Resources

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Applications of DNA barcoding include identifying species, inferring ecological and evolutionary relationships between species, and DNA metabarcoding. These applications require reference libraries that are not yet available for many taxa and geographic regions. We collected, identified, and vouchered plant specimens from Mpala Research Center in Laikipia, Kenya, to develop an extensive DNA‐barcode library for a savanna ecosystem in equatorial East Africa. We amassed up to five DNA barcode markers (rbcL, matK, trnL‐F, trnH–psbA, and ITS) for 1,781 specimens representing up to 460 species (~92% of the known flora), increasing the number of plant DNA barcode records for Africa by ~9%. We evaluated the ability of these markers, singly and in combination, to delimit species by calculating intra‐ and interspecific genetic distances. We further estimated a plant community phylogeny and demonstrated its utility by testing if evolutionary relatedness could predict the tendency of members of the Mpala plant community to have or lack “barcode gaps”, defined as disparities between the maximum intra‐ and minimum interspecific genetic distances. We found barcode gaps for 72%–89% of taxa depending on the marker or markers used. With the exception of the markers rbcL and ITS, we found that evolutionary relatedness was an important predictor of barcode‐gap presence or absence for all of the markers in combination and for matK, trnL‐F, and trnH–psbA individually. This plant DNA barcode library and community phylogeny will be a valuable resource for future investigations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Plant DNA‐barcode library and community phylogeny for a semi‐arid East African savanna

Gill

Musili

Kurukura

et al. 2019

Molecular Ecology Resources

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“…Thus, the domestication of the fruit trees with food value can be improved if plant breeders can tap into the power of low throughput DNA markers such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR-based single sequence repeats) or high throughput markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to select desirable genotypes or counter-select undesirable ones. Study designs should use transcriptome sequencing to build a catalogue of expressed genes for important African trees, toward discovering genes involved in fruit quality, yield, pest, and drought resistance (Daru, Berger, & van Wyk, 2016). Furthermore, in cases of barriers to conventional breeding, the power of genetic modification (GM) can be harnessed through genomics.…”

Section: Application Of Molecular Technologies For Development Of Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underutilized African indigenous fruit trees and food–nutrition security: Opportunities, challenges, and prospects

Omotayo

Aremu

2020

Food and Energy Security

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The diverse range of indigenous fruit trees in Africa is a source of untapped potential for food and nutrition security. Here, we review information on 10 indigenous fruit trees that are considered to be underutilized and explore their occurrence, distribution, nutritional components, phytochemicals, and medicinal potentials, as well as their associated challenges and prospects. The indigenous fruit trees, which occur across different ecological zones in Africa, are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, protein, and valuable phytochemicals. They also have recognized medicinal value and used as diverse therapeutic remedies by many ethnic groups in Africa. The key challenges to fruit tree sustainability include indiscriminate and illegal logging, low accessibility, and low acceptability, as well as inadequate research on their cultivation. We proposed a scheme to increase the value chain of underutilized fruit trees, which can contribute to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and other stakeholders mainly through income generation. In addition to the concerted efforts of multidisciplinary research teams encompassing plant breeders, botanists, molecular biologists, food scientists, and horticulturists, there is an urgent need for governments and other international stakeholders to provide incentives and encourage the domestication, commercialization, and agro‐processing of underutilized fruit trees for future economic prosperity of Africa.

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“…Mopane is thought to display gregariousness by suppressing other woody plants through various mechanisms, including the release of allelopathic compounds (Daru et al, 2016), making it a promising candidate for investigating landscape genomics. In addition, Mopane forms part of biodiversity that has a global impact on water carbon sequestration, as well as energy and water balances (Handa et al, 2020; Mlambo et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the effects of bioclimatic characteristics and climate change on the potential distribution of a monospecific species Colophospermum mopane (Benth.) Léonard in southern Africa

Schneider

2021

Preprint

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Global climate change is gradually changing species distribution and their patterns of diversity. Yet, factors that influence the local distribution and habitat preferences for southern African species remain largely unexplored. Here, we computed the suitable habitats in the southern African region for Colophospermum mopane (Benth.) using the maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling approach. We utilized one Global Circulation Model (GCM) and three Representative concentration pathways (RCPs) to determine the current and future distribution of C. mopane. The results showed that the distribution of C. mopane was mainly influenced by solar radiation, annual temperature range, and annual precipitation. According to the species response curves, this species preferred habitats with annual precipitation of 130-200 mm, an annual temperature range of 28˚ C, and elevations of about 500 m above sea level. The results highlight that the geographic range of C. mopane is likely to expand along the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe in the future, particularly in the miombo plains. Conversely, suitable habitat areas reduce significantly in the eastern area of the southern African region, while the western areas expand. Overall, the appropriate habitat areas will likely decline in the 2050s under both RCPs and expand in the 2070s under the two scenarios. This knowledge is important for landscape planners and rangeland managers working to safeguard biodiversity from extinction.

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Opportunities for unlocking the potential of genomics for African trees

Cited by 11 publications

References 68 publications

Plant DNA‐barcode library and community phylogeny for a semi‐arid East African savanna

Plant DNA‐barcode library and community phylogeny for a semi‐arid East African savanna

Underutilized African indigenous fruit trees and food–nutrition security: Opportunities, challenges, and prospects

Modelling the effects of bioclimatic characteristics and climate change on the potential distribution of a monospecific species Colophospermum mopane (Benth.) Léonard in southern Africa

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