Archaeogenomics Journal Club: Uncovering the hologenomic basis of an extraordinary plant invasion

This week we discuss a paper on the genomic basis of invasiveness in plants, specifically release from enemy microbes and inter-species hybridization in the invasive success of European ragweed.

Zoom link and passcode:

https://uio.zoom.us/j/62444869731?pwd=T0VzRW8zL3NPektFOVByR3RJU0Mydz09
Meeting ID: 624 4486 9731
Passcode: 068136

Link to paper:

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.03.478494v1.abstract 

 

Abstract:

While invasive species are a key driver of the global biodiversity crisis, the drivers of invasiveness remain debated. To investigate the genomic basis of invasiveness in plants, we use the invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia, introduced to Europe in the late 19th century, resequencing 655 ragweed genomes, including 308 herbarium specimens collected up to 190 years ago. In introduced European populations, we report selection signatures in defense genes and lower prevalence of particular plant pathogens in the invasive range. Together with temporal changes in population structure associated with introgression from closely related Ambrosia species, escape from microbial enemies likely favoured the plant’s remarkable success as an invasive species.

Published Mar. 17, 2022 10:35 AM - Last modified Mar. 17, 2022 10:35 AM