Historical isolation facilitates species radiation by sexual selection: Insights from Chorthippus grasshoppers

Theoretical and empirical studies have shown that species radiations are facilitated when a trait under divergent natural selection is also involved in sexual selection. It is yet unclear how quick and effective radiations are where assortative mating is unrelated to the ecological environment and primarily results from sexual selection. We address this question using sympatric grasshopper species of the genus Chorthippus, which have evolved strong behavioural isolation while lacking noticeable ecomorphological divergence. Mitochondrial genomes suggest that the radiation is relatively recent, dating to the mid‐Pleistocene, which leads to extensive incomplete lineage sorting throughout the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Nuclear data shows that hybrids are absent in sympatric localities but that all species have experienced gene flow, confirming that reproductive isolation is strong but remains incomplete. Demographic modelling is most consistent with a long period of geographic isolation, followed by secondary contact and extensive introgression. Such initial periods of geographic isolation might facilitate the association between male signaling and female preference, permitting the coexistence of sympatric species that are genetically, morphologically, and ecologically similar, but otherwise behave mostly as good biological species

Quinoa phenotyping methodologies: An international consensus

Quinoa is a crop originating in the Andes but grown more widely and with the genetic potential for significant further expansion. Due to the phenotypic plasticity of quinoa, varieties need to be assessed across years and multiple locations. To improve comparability among field trials across the globe and to facilitate collaborations, components of the trials need to be kept consistent, including the type and methods of data collected. Here, an internationally open-access framework for phenotyping a wide range of quinoa features is proposed to facilitate the systematic agronomic, physiological and genetic characterization of quinoa for crop adaptation and improvement. Mature plant phenotyping is a central aspect of this paper, including detailed descriptions and the provision of phenotyping cards to facilitate consistency in data collection. High-throughput methods for multi-temporal phenotyping based on remote sensing technologies are described. Tools for higher-throughput post-harvest phenotyping of seeds are presented. A guideline for approaching quinoa field trials including the collection of environmental data and designing layouts with statistical robustness is suggested. To move towards developing resources for quinoa in line with major cereal crops, a database was created. The Quinoa Germinate Platform will serve as a central repository of data for quinoa researchers globally.Fil: Stanschewski, Clara S.. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Rey, Elodie. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Fiene, Gabriele. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Craine, Evan B.. Washington State University; Estados UnidosFil: Wellman, Gordon. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Melino, Vanessa J.. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Patiranage, Dilan S. R.. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Johansen, Kasper. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Schmöckel, Sandra M.. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Bertero, Hector Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Producción Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Oakey, Helena. University of Adelaide; AustraliaFil: Colque Little, Carla. Universidad de Copenhagen; DinamarcaFil: Afzal, Irfan. University of Agriculture; PakistánFil: Raubach, Sebastian. The James Hutton Institute; Reino UnidoFil: Miller, Nathan. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Streich, Jared. Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Amby, Daniel Buchvaldt. Universidad de Copenhagen; DinamarcaFil: Emrani, Nazgol. Christian-albrechts-universität Zu Kiel; AlemaniaFil: Warmington, Mark. Agriculture And Food; AustraliaFil: Mousa, Magdi A. A.. Assiut University; Arabia Saudita. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Wu, David. Shanxi Jiaqi Agri-Tech Co.; ChinaFil: Jacobson, Daniel. Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Andreasen, Christian. Universidad de Copenhagen; DinamarcaFil: Jung, Christian. Christian-albrechts-universität Zu Kiel; AlemaniaFil: Murphy, Kevin. Washington State University; Estados UnidosFil: Bazile, Didier. Savoirs, Environnement, Sociétés; Francia. Universite Paul-valery Montpellier Iii; FranciaFil: Tester, Mark. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Arabia Saudit

Insights on the Evolution of Mycoparasitism from the Genome of Clonostachys rosea

Peer reviewe

Gene family expansions and contractions are associated with host range in plant pathogens of the genus Colletotrichum

Background: Many species belonging to the genus Colletotrichum cause anthracnose disease on a wide range of plant species. In addition to their economic impact, the genus Colletotrichum is a useful model for the study of the evolution of host specificity, speciation and reproductive behaviors. Genome projects of Colletotrichum species have already opened a new era for studying the evolution of pathogenesis in fungi. Results: We sequenced and annotated the genomes of four strains in the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex (CAsc), a clade of broad host range pathogens within the genus. The four CAsc proteomes and secretomes along with those representing an additional 13 species (six Colletotrichum spp. and seven other Sordariomycetes) were classified into protein families using a variety of tools. Hierarchical clustering of gene family and functional domain assignments, and phylogenetic analyses revealed lineage specific losses of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and proteases encoding genes in Colletotrichum species that have narrow host range as well as duplications of these families in the CAsc. We also found a lineage specific expansion of necrosis and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like protein (NLPs) families within the CAsc. Conclusions: This study illustrates the plasticity of Colletotrichum genomes, and shows that major changes in host range are associated with relatively recent changes in gene content

A Review of Chenopodium quinoa (Willd.) Diseases—An Updated Perspective

The journey of the Andean crop quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) to unfamiliar environments and the combination of higher temperatures, sudden changes in weather, intense precipitation, and reduced water in the soil has increased the risk of observing new and emerging diseases associated with this crop. Several diseases of quinoa have been reported in the last decade. These include Ascochyta caulina, Cercospora cf. chenopodii, Colletotrichum nigrum, C. truncatum, and Pseudomonas syringae. The taxonomy of other diseases remains unclear or is characterized primarily at the genus level. Symptoms, microscopy, and pathogenicity, supported by molecular tools, constitute accurate plant disease diagnostics in the 21st century. Scientists and farmers will benefit from an update on the phytopathological research regarding a crop that has been neglected for many years. This review aims to compile the existing information and make accurate associations between specific symptoms and causal agents of disease. In addition, we place an emphasis on downy mildew and its phenotyping, as it continues to be the most economically important and studied disease affecting quinoa worldwide. The information herein will allow for the appropriate execution of breeding programs and control measures