The genome of Shorea leprosula (Dipterocarpaceae) highlights the ecological relevance of drought in aseasonal tropical rainforests

• Published in: Communications biology Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 1166 - 14
• Main Authors: Ng, Kevin Kit Siong, Kobayashi, Masaki J, Fawcett, Jeffrey A, Hatakeyama, Masaomi, Paape, Timothy, Ng, Chin Hong, Ang, Choon Cheng, Tnah, Lee Hong, Lee, Chai Ting, Nishiyama, Tomoaki, Sese, Jun, O'Brien, Michael J, Copetti, Dario, Isa, Mohd Noor Mat, Ong, Robert Cyril, Putra, Mahardika, Siregar, Iskandar Z, Indrioko, Sapto, Kosugi, Yoshiko, Izuno, Ayako, Isagi, Yuji, Lee, Soon Leong, Shimizu, Kentaro K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 07.10.2021; Springer Nature; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; Biology; Cretaceous; Dipterocarpaceae; Dipterocarpaceae - genetics; Drought; Droughts; Environmental stress; Forest ecology; Forestry; Gene Duplication; Genome duplication; Genome, Plant; Genomes; Malaysia; Paleogene; Rain; Rainfall; Rainforest; Rainforests; Seasons; Shorea leprosula; Species extinction; Transcriptomes; Trees; Tropical ecology; Malaysia
• ISSN: 2399-3642; 2399-3642
• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02682-1

Hyperdiverse tropical rainforests, such as the aseasonal forests in Southeast Asia, are supported by high annual rainfall. Its canopy is dominated by the species-rich tree family of Dipterocarpaceae (Asian dipterocarps), which has both ecological (e.g., supports flora and fauna) and economical (e.g., timber production) importance. Recent ecological studies suggested that rare irregular drought events may be an environmental stress and signal for the tropical trees. We assembled the genome of a widespread but near threatened dipterocarp, Shorea leprosula, and analyzed the transcriptome sequences of ten dipterocarp species representing seven genera. Comparative genomic and molecular dating analyses suggested a whole-genome duplication close to the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event followed by the diversification of major dipterocarp lineages (i.e. Dipterocarpoideae). Interestingly, the retained duplicated genes were enriched for genes upregulated by no-irrigation treatment. These findings provide molecular support for the relevance of drought for tropical trees despite the lack of an annual dry season.