Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals lineage- and environment-specific adaptations in cacti from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Autor(es)

Amaral, Danilo T. ; Bonatelli, Isabel A. S. ; Romeiro-Brito, Monique ; Telhe, Milena C. ; Moraes, Evandro M. ; Zappi, Daniela Cristina ; Taylor, Nigel Paul ; Franco, Fernando F.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PLANTA; v. 260, n. 1, p. 16-pg., 2024-07-01.

Resumo

Uncovering the molecular mechanisms driving adaptive divergence in traits related to habitat adaptation remains a central challenge. In this study, we focused on the cactus clade, which includes Cereus sericifer F.Ritter, Cereus fernambucensis Lem., and Cereus insularis Hemsley. These allopatric species inhabit distinct relatively drier regions within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, each facing unique abiotic conditions. We leveraged whole transcriptome data and abiotic variables datasets to explore lineage-specific and environment-specific adaptations in these species. Employing comparative phylogenetic methods, we identified genes under positive selection (PSG) and examined their association with non-synonymous genetic variants and abiotic attributes through a PhyloGWAS approach. Our analysis unveiled signatures of selection in all studied lineages, with C. fernambucensis northern populations and C. insularis showing the most PSGs. These PSGs predominantly govern abiotic stress regulation, encompassing heat tolerance, UV stress response, and soil salinity adaptation. Our exclusive observation of gene expression tied to early developmental stages in C. insularis supports the hypothesis of neoteny in this species. We also identified genes associated with abiotic variables in independent lineages, suggesting their role as environmental filters on genetic diversity. Overall, our findings suggest that natural selection played a pivotal role in the geographic range of these species in response to environmental and biogeographic transitions. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 18/06937-8 - Filogenia, biogeografia e diversificação de cactos da América do Sul com enfoque na Tribo Cereeae (Cactaceae)
• Beneficiário: Monique Romeiro Brito
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 19/11233-2 - Filogenia, biogeografia e evolução de caracteres dos gêneros Melocactus link & Otto e Discocactus Pfeiff (Cactaceae)
• Beneficiário: Milena Cardoso Telhe
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto
• Processo FAPESP: 22/09910-9 - Levantamento de organismos bioluminescentes da Estação Ecológica de Juréia-Itatins: biodiversidade, evolução molecular e bioindicador ambiental
• Beneficiário: Danilo Trabuco do Amaral
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 20/15161-3 - Adaptação durante transições biogeográficas do Cerrado para a Caatinga: paralelismo evolutivo e idiossincrasias em linhagens independentes do gênero Cereus (Cactaceae)
• Beneficiário: Fernando de Faria Franco
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 18/03428-5 - Dimensions US-BIOTA-Sao Paulo: características preditoras da diversificação adaptativa na Diagonal Seca Brasileira
• Beneficiário: Vera Nisaka Solferini
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático