Comparative genomics analyses reveal genomic variation and evolutionary adaptation in Dendrobium orchids

The mechanisms of species formation and diversity within the Orchidaceae have always been a topic of great research interest, and molecular biology-based explanations for these phenomena are lacking. Here, we present a comparative genomic analysis comprising 24 chromosome-level genome assemblies and genome skimming data for 204 species from Dendrobium. We identify that the genetic conservation in Dendrobium is associated with its environmental adaptability. And the formation of species diversity in the genus Dendrobium is driven by the compression of the Indian plate and changes in sea level and precipitation. The CYP734A50 might play important role in Dendrobium self-incompatibility (SI) species and the type-1 SI system lost through deletion of the entire single polymorphic locus (S-locus). Our results reveal the genetics background of genomic variation, biosynthesis, and adaptive evolution in Dendrobium, providing fundamental insights into the relationships between the genome and trait evolution of orchids and into angiosperm diversification.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-12-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66688-7
Primary Topic
Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
Type
article
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article

Comparative genomics analyses reveal genomic variation and evolutionary adaptation in Dendrobium orchids

Wen‐Chieh Tsai, Zhuang Zhao, Xuewei Zhao, Baocai Han et al.
Nature Communications
Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
article

Comparative genomics analyses reveal genomic variation and evolutionary adaptation in Dendrobium orchids

Wen‐Chieh Tsai, Zhuang Zhao, Xuewei Zhao, Baocai Han, Ye Huang, Qinyao Zheng, Donghui Peng, Cheng‐Yuan Zhou, Long−Hai Zou, Kang‐Li Li, Shan-Ce Niu, Zhong‐Jian Liu, Zhong Zheng, Siren Lan, Meng-Yao Zeng, Ming‐Zhong Huang, Pei‐Ji Zheng, Cuili Zhang, Zihao He, Zhuang Zhou, Jun Li, Guoqiang Zhang, Qiang Chen, Mengmeng Zhang, Xiaofang Chen, Yu-Min Liang, Jieyu Wang, Deqiang Chen, Linying Wang, Xin He, Yingyi Liang, Bing-Jie Chen, Qing Xu
article en

Abstract

The mechanisms of species formation and diversity within the Orchidaceae have always been a topic of great research interest, and molecular biology-based explanations for these phenomena are lacking. Here, we present a comparative genomic analysis comprising 24 chromosome-level genome assemblies and genome skimming data for 204 species from Dendrobium. We identify that the genetic conservation in Dendrobium is associated with its environmental adaptability. And the formation of species diversity in the genus Dendrobium is driven by the compression of the Indian plate and changes in sea level and precipitation. The CYP734A50 might play important role in Dendrobium self-incompatibility (SI) species and the type-1 SI system lost through deletion of the entire single polymorphic locus (S-locus). Our results reveal the genetics background of genomic variation, biosynthesis, and adaptive evolution in Dendrobium, providing fundamental insights into the relationships between the genome and trait evolution of orchids and into angiosperm diversification.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 17(1)
BGI Group (China) (CN), Hebei Agricultural University (CN), Zhejiang A & F University (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Beijing Botanical Garden (CN), Research Institute of Tropical Forestry (CN), Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality (CN), Institute of Botany (CN), China National Botanical Garden, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (CN), National Chengchi University (TW), National Cheng Kung University (TW), Guangzhou Medical University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 72%
Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
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