Genomic effects of population collapse in a critically endangered ironwood tree Ostrya rehderiana

Yongzhi Yang, Tao Ma, Zefu Wang, Zhiqiang Lu, Ying Li, Chengxin Fu, Xiaoyong Chen, Mingshui Zhao, Matthew S. Olson and Jianquan Liu ()
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Yongzhi Yang: Sichuan University
Tao Ma: Sichuan University
Zefu Wang: Sichuan University
Zhiqiang Lu: Lanzhou University
Ying Li: Lanzhou University
Chengxin Fu: Zhejiang University
Xiaoyong Chen: East China Normal University
Mingshui Zhao: Zhejiang Tianmushan National Nature Reserve Management Bureau
Matthew S. Olson: Texas Tech University
Jianquan Liu: Sichuan University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Increased human activity and climate change are driving numerous tree species to endangered status, and in the worst cases extinction. Here we examine the genomic signatures of the critically endangered ironwood tree Ostrya rehderiana and its widespread congener O. chinensis. Both species have similar demographic histories prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM); however, the effective population size of O. rehderiana continued to decrease through the last 10,000 years, whereas O. chinensis recovered to Pre-LGM numbers. O. rehderiana accumulated more deleterious mutations, but purged more severely deleterious recessive variations than in O. chinensis. This purging and the gradually reduced inbreeding depression together may have mitigated extinction and contributed to the possible future survival of the outcrossing O. rehderiana. Our findings provide critical insights into the evolutionary history of population collapse and the potential for future recovery of the endangered trees.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07913-4

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