Lineage Differentiation and Genomic Vulnerability in a Relict Tree From Subtropical Forests

Abstract

The subtropical forests of East Asia are renowned for their high plant diversity, particularly the abundance of ancient relict species. However, both the evolutionary history of these relict species and their capacity for resilience in the face of impending climatic changes remain unclear. Using whole‐genome resequencing data, we investigated the lineage differentiation and demographic history of the relict and endangered tree, Bretschneidera sinensis (Akaniaceae). We employed a combination of population genomic and landscape genomic approaches to evaluate variation in mutation load and genomic offset, aiming to predict how different populations may respond to climate change. Our analysis revealed a profound genomic divergence between the East and West lineages, likely as the result of recurrent bottlenecks due to climatic fluctuations during the glacial period. Furthermore, we identified several genes potentially linked to growth characteristics and hypoxia response that had been subjected to positive selection during the lineage differentiation. Our assessment of genomic vulnerability uncovered a significantly higher mutation load and genomic offset in the edge populations of B. sinensis compared to their core counterparts. This implies that the edge populations are likely to experience the most significant impact from the predicted climate conditions. Overall, our research sheds light on the historical lineage differentiation and contemporary genomic vulnerability of B. sinensis. Broadening our understanding of the speciation history and future resilience of relict and endangered species such as B. sinensis, is crucial in developing effective conservation strategies in anticipation of future climatic changes.