Does the Enigmatic Wightia Belong to Paulowniaceae (Lamiales)?

ORPA: a fast and efficient phylogenetic analysis method for constructing genome-wide alignments of organelle genomes

Creating a multi-gene alignment matrix for phylogenetic analysis using organelle genomes involves aligning single-gene datasets manually, a process that can be time-consuming and prone to errors. The HomBlocks pipeline has been created to eliminate the inaccuracies arising from manual operations. The processing of a large number of sequences, however, remains a time-consuming task. To conquer this challenge, we develop a speedy and efficient method called Organelle Genomes for Phylogenetic Analysis (ORPA). ORPA can quickly generate multiple sequence alignments for whole-genome comparisons by parsing the result files of NCBI BLAST, completing the task just in 1 min. With increasing data volume, the efficiency of ORPA is even more pronounced, over 300 times faster than HomBlocks in aligning 60 high-plant chloroplast genomes. The phylogenetic tree outputs from ORPA are equivalent to HomBlocks, indicating its outstanding efficiency. Due to its speed and accuracy, ORPA can identify species-level evolutionary conflicts, providing valuable insights into evolutionary cognition.

Construction of a High-Density Paulownia Genetic Map and QTL Mapping of Important Phenotypic Traits Based on Genome Assembly and Whole-Genome Resequencing

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping based on a genetic map is a very effective method of marker-assisted selection in breeding, and whole-genome resequencing is one of the useful methods to obtain high-density genetic maps. In this study, the hybrid assembly of Illumina, PacBio, and chromatin interaction mapping data was used to construct high-quality chromosomal genome sequences of Paulownia fortunei, with a size of 476.82 Mb, a heterozygosity of 0.52%, and a contig and scaffold N50s of 7.81 Mb and 21.81 Mb, respectively. Twenty scaffolds with a total length of 437.72 Mb were assembled into 20 pseudochromosomes. Repeat sequences with a total length of 243.96 Mb accounted for 51.16% of the entire genome. In all, 26,903 protein-coding gene loci were identified, and 26,008 (96.67%) genes had conserved functional motifs. Further comparative genomics analysis preliminarily showed that the split of P. fortunei with Tectona grandis likely occurred 38.8 (33.3-45.1) million years ago. Whole-genome resequencing was used to construct a merged genetic map of 20 linkage groups, with 2993 bin markers (3,312,780 SNPs), a total length of 1675.14 cm, and an average marker interval of 0.56 cm. In total, 73 QTLs for important phenotypic traits were identified (19 major QTLs with phenotypic variation explained ≥ 10%), including 10 for the diameter at breast height, 7 for the main trunk height, and 56 for branch-related traits. These results not only enrich P. fortunei genomic data but also form a solid foundation for fine QTL mapping and key marker/gene mining of Paulownia, which is of great significance for the directed genetic improvement of these species.

Historical development of karst evergreen broadleaved forests in East Asia has shaped the evolution of a hemiparasitic genus Brandisia (Orobanchaceae)

Brandisia is a shrubby genus of about eight species distributed basically in East Asian evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLFs), with distribution centers in the karst regions of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi in southwestern China. Based on the hemiparasitic and more or less liana habits of this genus, we hypothesized that its evolution and distribution were shaped by the development of EBLFs there. To test our hypothesis, the most comprehensive phylogenies of Brandisia hitherto were constructed based on plastome and nuclear loci (nrDNA, PHYA and PHYB); then divergence time and ancestral areas were inferred using the combined nuclear loci dataset. Phylogenetic analyses reconfirmed that Brandisia is a member of Orobanchaceae, with unstable placements caused by nuclear-plastid incongruences. Within Brandisia, three major clades were well supported, corresponding to the three subgenera based on morphology. Brandisia was inferred to have originated in the early Oligocene (32.69 Mya) in the Eastern Himalayas-SW China, followed by diversification in the early Miocene (19.45 Mya) in karst EBLFs. The differentiation dates of Brandisia were consistent with the origin of keystone species of EBLFs in this region (e.g., Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Theaceae, and Magnoliaceae) and the colonization of other characteristic groups (e.g., Gesneriaceae and Mahonia). These findings indicate that the distribution and evolution of Brandisia were facilitated by the rise of the karst EBLFs in East Asia. In addition, the woody and parasitic habits, and pollination characteristics of Brandisia may also be the important factors affecting its speciation and dispersal.

The complete chloroplast genome of Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze 1891 (Orobanchaceae), a hemiparasitic weed from Guangxi China

Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze 1891 is a hemiparasitic plant native to Asia and Africa. It is invasive and causes yield losses in crops such as corn, rice and sorghum. Lack of chloroplast genomic data has limited research into its obligate parasitic lifestyle. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of Striga asiatica was sequenced and characterized. It is a quadripartite structure with a total length of 191,085 bp and a GC content of 37.86%. It has a large single copy region (LSC) of 51,406 bp, a small single copy region (SSC) of 273 bp, and two copies of the reverse repeat sequence (IRA and IRB) of 69,703 bp. A total of 122 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 44 tRNA genes were annotated in the chloroplast genome. There were a lot of ndh gene deletions and pseudogenizations in this chloroplast genome. For example, ndhA, D, E, H, I, and K were all pseudogenes because they were missing the 5' end start codon. ndhB, C, and J had shorter gene lengths than their homologs, and ndhF and ndhG were missing genes. The phylogenetic tree reveals that all Striga species form a clade, and a bootstrap value of 100 indicates that S. asiatica is closely related to Striga hermonthica and Striga sepera. The comprehensive chloroplast genomic resource of S. asiatica would assist researchers in comprehending hemiparasitic mechanisms, molecular markers, and evolutionary patterns of the genus Striga.

Phylogenomic approaches untangle early divergences and complex diversifications of the olive plant family

BACKGROUND

Deep-branching phylogenetic relationships are often difficult to resolve because phylogenetic signals are obscured by the long history and complexity of evolutionary processes, such as ancient introgression/hybridization, polyploidization, and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). Phylogenomics has been effective in providing information for resolving both deep- and shallow-scale relationships across all branches of the tree of life. The olive family (Oleaceae) is composed of 25 genera classified into five tribes with tribe Oleeae consisting of four subtribes. Previous phylogenetic analyses showed that ILS and/or hybridization led to phylogenetic incongruence in the family. It was essential to distinguish phylogenetic signal conflicts, and explore mechanisms for the uncertainties concerning relationships of the olive family, especially at the deep-branching nodes.

RESULTS

We used the whole plastid genome and nuclear single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data to infer the phylogenetic relationships and to assess the variation and rates among the main clades of the olive family. We also used 2608 and 1865 orthologous nuclear genes to infer the deep-branching relationships among tribes of Oleaceae and subtribes of tribe Oleeae, respectively. Concatenated and coalescence trees based on the plastid genome, nuclear SNPs and multiple nuclear genes suggest events of ILS and/or ancient introgression during the diversification of Oleaceae. Additionally, there was extreme heterogeneity in the substitution rates across the tribes. Furthermore, our results supported that introgression/hybridization, rather than ILS, is the main factor for phylogenetic discordance among the five tribes of Oleaceae. The tribe Oleeae is supported to have originated via ancient hybridization and polyploidy, and its most likely parentages are the ancestral lineage of Jasmineae or its sister group, which is a "ghost lineage," and Forsythieae. However, ILS and ancient introgression are mainly responsible for the phylogenetic discordance among the four subtribes of tribe Oleeae.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showcases that using multiple sequence datasets (plastid genomes, nuclear SNPs and thousands of nuclear genes) and diverse phylogenomic methods such as data partition, heterogeneous models, quantifying introgression via branch lengths (QuIBL) analysis, and species network analysis can facilitate untangling long and complex evolutionary processes of ancient introgression, paleopolyploidization, and ILS.

Genomic insights into the fast growth of paulownias and the formation of Paulownia witches' broom

Paulownias are among the fastest growing trees in the world, but they often suffer tremendous loss of wood production due to infection by Paulownia witches' broom (PaWB) phytoplasmas. In this study, we have sequenced and assembled a high-quality nuclear genome of Paulownia fortunei, a commonly cultivated paulownia species. The assembled genome of P. fortunei is 511.6 Mb in size, with 93.2% of its sequences anchored to 20 pseudo-chromosomes, and it contains 31 985 protein-coding genes. Phylogenomic analyses show that the family Paulowniaceae is sister to a clade composed of Phrymaceae and Orobanchaceae. Higher photosynthetic efficiency is achieved by integrating C3 photosynthesis and the crassulacean acid metabolism pathway, which may contribute to the extremely fast growth habit of paulownia trees. Comparative transcriptome analyses reveal modules related to cambial growth and development, photosynthesis, and defense responses. Additional genome sequencing of PaWB phytoplasma, combined with functional analyses, indicates that the effector PaWB-SAP54 interacts directly with Paulownia PfSPLa, which in turn causes the degradation of PfSPLa by the ubiquitin-mediated pathway and leads to the formation of witches' broom. Taken together, these results provide significant insights into the biology of paulownias and the regulatory mechanism for the formation of PaWB.

The complete chloroplast genome of Chinese medicine cultivar species of Rehmannia glutinosa (Orobanchaceae)

The cultivar of Rehmannia glutinosa (Orobanchaceae) is one of the four famous ‘Huai’ medicine cultivar species endemic to Henan Province in central China. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of R. glutinosa cultivar Wen 85-5. The cp genome of R. glutinosa cultivar Wen 85-5 was 155,499 bp in length and contained a pair of inverted repeat regions (IR, 25,748 bp) separated by a small single copy (SSC, 17,600 bp) and a large single copy (LSC, 84,403 bp) region. Chloroplast genome sequences of two cultivar of R. glutinosa (Wen 85-5 and Jiwang 1) are identical to each other. The sequence of cp genome of R. glutinosa cultivar Wen 85-5 was 99.70% similar to the wild population of R. glutinosa. Some distinctive insert and deletion in R. glutinosa cultivar Wen 85-5 by comparison with wild population were reported. The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. glutinosa cultivar Wen 85-5.was sister to the R. glutinosa cultivar Jiwang 1 (BS = 100%), and further clustering with R. glutinosa (BS = 100%). This result will be helpful for the conservation and breeding programs of the cultivar of R. glutinosa.

Three complete plastome sequences from the families of Lamiaceae, Mazaceae, and Phrymaceae (Lamiales)

In this study, we report the first complete plastome sequence of Vitex rotundifolia (Lamiaceae) (MT937186). In addition, the plastome sequences of Phryma leptostachya subsp. asiatica (Phrymaceae) (153,324 bp; MT948145) and Mazus pumilus (Mazaceae) (152,847 bp; MT937187) are also included. The gene orders and structures of the three plastomes are collinear with those of the typical plastome of angiosperm. The plastome size of V. rotundifolia is 154,370 bp in length and consists of a large single-copy region of 85,079 bp and a small single-copy region of 17,917 bp, which are separated by a pair of 25,687 bp-long inverted repeat regions. In addition, the plastome sizes of P. leptostachya subsp. asiatica and M. pumilus are 153,324 bp and 152,847 bp, respectively. The three plastomes contain 113 genes, including 79 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and four rRNA genes. Sixteen genes contain one intron and two genes have two introns. A total of 41 simple sequence repeat loci was identified in the V. rotundifolia plastome. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Viticoideae is a sister group of the last of Lamiaceae except Nepetoideae. The Mazaceae are a sister group of Lamiaceae, while Phrymaceae form a sister group to the Paulowniaceae-Orobanchaceae clade.

Rediscovery of Mazus lanceifolius reveals a new genus and a new species in Mazaceae

Mazus lanceifolius (Mazaceae) is a perennial herb with opposite leaves and endemic to central China that has not been collected for 130 years. Rediscovery of this enigmatic species in the wild allows for determination of its phylogenetic position within Mazaceae. Phylogenetic reconstruction of Mazaceae based on DNA sequences from four plastid markers (matK, rbcL, rps16 and trnL-trnF) and nuclear ribosome ITS consistently showed that Mazus was not monophyletic. Mazus lanceifolius is in the most basal clade within Mazaceae, as sister to the remaining species of three recognized genera Dodartia, Lancea and Mazus. These results support the separation of M. lanceifolius from Mazus as a new genus, which was established here as Puchiumazus Bo Li, D.G. Zhang & C.L. Xiang. Meanwhile, a collection from Shennongjia Forestry District of Hubei Province, China, misidentified as "M. lanceifolius" in previous molecular study, is here revealed to represent an undescribed species of Mazus, i.e., M. fruticosus Bo Li, D.G. Zhang & C.L. Xiang, sp. nov. Morphologically, Puchiumazus is clearly distinct from the other three genera by having quadrangular to somewhat ribbed stems, and obviously opposite leaves. In addition, we provide a taxonomic key to the four genera of Mazaceae.

A synopsis of the expanded Rhaphiolepis (Maleae, Rosaceae)

As part of the integrative systematic studies on the tribe Maleae, a synopsis of the expanded Rhaphiolepis is presented, recognizing 45 species. Three new forms were validated: R. bengalensis f. contracta B.B.Liu & J.Wen, R. bengalensis f. intermedia B.B.Liu & J.Wen, and R. bengalensis f. multinervata B.B.Liu & J.Wen, and four new combinations are made here: R. bengalensis f. angustifolia (Cardot) B.B.Liu & J.Wen, R. bengalensis f. gigantea (J.E.Vidal) B.B.Liu & J.Wen, R. laoshanica (W.B.Liao, Q.Fan & S.F.Chen) B.B.Liu & J.Wen, and R. latifolia (Hook.f.) B.B.Liu & J.Wen. Furthermore, one new name, Rhaphiolepis yui B.B.Liu & J.Wen is proposed here, and three taxa were reduced as new synonyms. We also provide lectotypification for 13 names: Crataegus bibas, Eriobotrya philippinensis, Mespilus spiralis, Opa integerrima, Photinia luzonensis, Rhaphiolepis brevipetiolata, R. ferruginea var. serrata, R. fragrans, R. gracilis, R. hainanensis, R. kerrii, R. indica subsp. umbellata var. liukiuensis, and R. parvibracteolata.

Comparison of the complete plastomes and the phylogenetic analysis of Paulownia species

Paulownia species are important ecological, economic and ornamental species, but their phylogenetic relationship remains unclear, which seriously affects the development and utilization of these important resources. The complete chloroplast genomes of six Paulownia species were assembled by next-generation sequencing data. By adding two known Paulownia chloroplast genomes to these six assembled genomes, we performed the comparative analysis and phylogenetic tree reconstruction of Paulownia. The results indicated that the chloroplast genomes of Paulownia species ranged in size from 154,107 to 154,694 bp. These chloroplast genomes contained 117 unique functional genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, four rRNA genes, and 33 tRNA genes. Twelve hotspot regions, five protein-coding genes and seven noncoding regions, were identified in the chloroplast genomes that showed high levels of sequence variation. Additionally, positive selection was observed in three genes, rps2, rbcL and ndhG. The maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian (BI) analysis strongly supported the monophyletic origin of Paulownia species, which clustered into two major clades: One clade included P. coreana, P. tomentosa and P. kawakamii, while the other clade comprised the 5 other species including P. fargesii and P. australis. This study provides useful genetic information for phylogenetic reconstruction, taxonomic discrepancies, and studying species evolution and phylogeography in Paulownia.