Genome-wide analysis of Cushion willow provides insights into alpine plant divergence in a biodiversity hotspot

Jia-hui Chen (), Yuan Huang, Benjamin Brachi, Quan-zheng Yun, Wei Zhang, Wei Lu, Hong-na Li, Wen-qing Li, Xu-dong Sun, Guang-yan Wang, Jun He, Zhuo Zhou, Kai-yun Chen, Yun-heng Ji, Ming-ming Shi, Wen-guang Sun, Yong-ping Yang (), Ren-gang Zhang, Richard J. Abbott () and Hang Sun ()
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Jia-hui Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yuan Huang: Yunnan Normal University
Benjamin Brachi: Université de Bordeaux
Quan-zheng Yun: Beijing Ori-Gene Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Wei Zhang: Peking University
Wei Lu: Peking University
Hong-na Li: Beijing Ori-Gene Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Wen-qing Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xu-dong Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guang-yan Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jun He: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhuo Zhou: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Kai-yun Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yun-heng Ji: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ming-ming Shi: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wen-guang Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yong-ping Yang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ren-gang Zhang: Beijing Ori-Gene Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Richard J. Abbott: University of St. Andrews
Hang Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The Hengduan Mountains (HDM) biodiversity hotspot exhibits exceptional alpine plant diversity. Here, we investigate factors driving intraspecific divergence within a HDM alpine species Salix brachista (Cushion willow), a common component of subnival assemblages. We produce a high-quality genome assembly for this species and characterize its genetic diversity, population structure and pattern of evolution by resequencing individuals collected across its distribution. We detect population divergence that has been shaped by a landscape of isolated sky island-like habitats displaying strong environmental heterogeneity across elevational gradients, combined with population size fluctuations that have occurred since approximately the late Miocene. These factors are likely important drivers of intraspecific divergence within Cushion willow and possibly other alpine plants with a similar distribution. Since intraspecific divergence is often the first step toward speciation, the same factors can be important contributors to the high alpine species diversity in the HDM.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13128-y

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