The rise of baobab trees in Madagascar

Jun-Nan Wan, Sheng-Wei Wang, Andrew R. Leitch, Ilia J. Leitch, Jian-Bo Jian, Zhang-Yan Wu, Hai-Ping Xin, Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, Guy Eric Onjalalaina, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Can Dai, Geoffrey Mwachala, Ming-Zhou Bai, Chen-Xi Zhao, Hong-Qi Wang, Sheng-Lan Du, Neng Wei, Guang-Wan Hu, Si-Chong Chen, Xiao-Ya Chen, Tao Wan () and Qing-Feng Wang ()
Additional contact information
Jun-Nan Wan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Sheng-Wei Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Andrew R. Leitch: Queen Mary University of London
Ilia J. Leitch: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Jian-Bo Jian: BGI-Shenzhen
Zhang-Yan Wu: BGI-Shenzhen
Hai-Ping Xin: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Mijoro Rakotoarinivo: University of Antananarivo
Guy Eric Onjalalaina: University of Antananarivo
Robert Wahiti Gituru: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Can Dai: Hubei University
Geoffrey Mwachala: National Museums of Kenya
Ming-Zhou Bai: BGI-Shenzhen
Chen-Xi Zhao: BGI-Shenzhen
Hong-Qi Wang: BGI-Shenzhen
Sheng-Lan Du: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Neng Wei: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guang-Wan Hu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Si-Chong Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiao-Ya Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tao Wan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qing-Feng Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature, 2024, vol. 629, issue 8014, 1091-1099

Abstract: Abstract The baobab trees (genus Adansonia) have attracted tremendous attention because of their striking shape and distinctive relationships with fauna1. These spectacular trees have also influenced human culture, inspiring innumerable arts, folklore and traditions. Here we sequenced genomes of all eight extant baobab species and argue that Madagascar should be considered the centre of origin for the extant lineages, a key issue in their evolutionary history2,3. Integrated genomic and ecological analyses revealed the reticulate evolution of baobabs, which eventually led to the species diversity seen today. Past population dynamics of Malagasy baobabs may have been influenced by both interspecific competition and the geological history of the island, especially changes in local sea levels. We propose that further attention should be paid to the conservation status of Malagasy baobabs, especially of Adansonia suarezensis and Adansonia grandidieri, and that intensive monitoring of populations of Adansonia za is required, given its propensity for negatively impacting the critically endangered Adansonia perrieri.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07447-4

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