Genetic resilience and adaptation of the endangered Chinese hazelnut

Published 2024년 5월 20일

Tridge summary

Researchers have conducted the first chromosome-level genome study of the endangered Chinese hazelnut, Corylus chinensis. The study revealed that the species has undergone significant genomic rearrangements and expansion of gene families, potentially involved in adaptation. The population genomics findings showed a decrease in population size since the late Miocene, with higher inbreeding levels and fewer deleterious mutations in C. chinensis compared to its sympatric species. The study suggests that positive selection and adaptive introgression have mitigated inbreeding and facilitated survival in C. chinensis. These insights are crucial for understanding the lineage differentiation, local adaptation, and potential for recovery of the endangered tree.

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Original content

Endangered species are often characterized by severe population decline or even near-extinction status during their demographic histories. Such threats usually stem from historical climate changes and human activities.For small, isolated populations, genetic drift can lead to inbreeding depression, erosion of genetic diversity and accumulation of deleterious mutations, which further decrease the adaptive potential and increase the extinction risk when facing volatile natural habitats or climate. Elucidating the demographic history of threatened species and the impact of genomic erosion on endangerment is fundamental to implementing effective management and conservation.Corylus chinensis (CCH), the Chinese hazelnut, was widely distributed across Asia during the Tertiary period. However, it is now endangered and only disjunctively distributed in the mid-high mountains of subtropical China. Notably, its genetic characteristics, demographic history and adaptive potential remain ...

Source: Phys