Phylogenomics provides insights into the evolution of cactophily and host plant shifts adaptation in Drosophila

MOREYRA, NICOLÁS; ALMEIDA, FRANCISCA; ALLAN, CARSON; FRANKEL, NICOLÁS; MATZKIN, LUCIANO; HASSON, ESTEBAN

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Año: 2023

1055-7903

Comparative genomics allows to infer the genomic changes associated with major evolutionary events at different time scales and in different ecological contexts. Cactophilic species of the Drosophila buzzatii cluster (repleta group) are an excellent model to investigate genomic changes underlying adaptation to extreme climate conditions and host plant use. LikewiseFor example, these species offer the possibility to study the transition from the chemically simpler prickly pears (genus Opuntia) to chemically more complex columnar cacti. HereThus, we report highly contiguous genome assemblies of four species of the buzzatii cluster. Based on this genomic data and inferred phylogenetic relationships, we identified candidate TRGs in the subgenus Drosophila and internal branches involving cactophilic species. We highlight that Ffunctional enrichment in TRGs within the buzzatii cluster identified mechanisms involved in detoxification, water preservation, immune system response, anatomical structure development and morphogenesis. However, additional In contrast, processes that regulate responses to stress, as well as the metabolism of nitrogen compounds, transport and secretion were only found in the set of species that are columnar cacti dwellers. Therefore, we suggest that such genomic innovations may be instrumental mechanisms underlying adaptation to cactophily and cactus host specialization.