Genome of the early spider-orchid Ophrys sphegodes provides insights into sexual deception and pollinator adaptation

Alessia Russo (), Mattia Alessandrini, Moaine El Baidouri, Daniel Frei, Teresa Rosa Galise, Lara Gaidusch, Hannah F. Oertel, Sara E. Garcia Morales, Giacomo Potente, Qin Tian, Dmitry Smetanin, Joris A. M. Bertrand, Renske E. Onstein, Olivier Panaud, Jürg E. Frey, Salvatore Cozzolino, Thomas Wicker, Shuqing Xu, Ueli Grossniklaus and Philipp M. Schlüter ()
Additional contact information
Alessia Russo: University of Hohenheim
Mattia Alessandrini: University of Hohenheim
Moaine El Baidouri: Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes
Daniel Frei: Agroscope
Teresa Rosa Galise: University of Naples Federico II
Lara Gaidusch: University of Hohenheim
Hannah F. Oertel: University of Hohenheim
Sara E. Garcia Morales: University of Hohenheim
Giacomo Potente: University of Zurich
Qin Tian: Naturalis Biodiversity Centre
Dmitry Smetanin: University of Zurich
Joris A. M. Bertrand: Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes
Renske E. Onstein: Naturalis Biodiversity Centre
Olivier Panaud: Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes
Jürg E. Frey: Agroscope
Salvatore Cozzolino: University of Naples Federico II
Thomas Wicker: University of Zurich
Shuqing Xu: University of Mainz
Ueli Grossniklaus: University of Zurich
Philipp M. Schlüter: University of Hohenheim

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Pollinator-driven evolution of floral traits is thought to be a major driver of angiosperm speciation and diversification. Ophrys orchids mimic female insects to lure male pollinators into pseudocopulation. This strategy, called sexual deception, is species-specific, thereby providing strong premating reproductive isolation. Identifying the genomic architecture underlying pollinator adaptation and speciation may shed light on the mechanisms of angiosperm diversification. Here, we report the 5.2 Gb chromosome-scale genome sequence of Ophrys sphegodes. We find evidence for transposable element expansion that preceded the radiation of the O. sphegodes group, and for gene duplication having contributed to the evolution of chemical mimicry. We report a highly differentiated genomic candidate region for pollinator-mediated evolution on chromosome 2. The Ophrys genome will prove useful for investigations into the repeated evolution of sexual deception, pollinator adaptation and the genomic architectures that facilitate evolutionary radiations.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50622-4

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