Nuclear DNA content in Sinningia (Gesneriaceae); intraspecific genome size variation and genome characterization in S. speciosa

Genome ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 1066-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Zaitlin ◽  
Andrew J. Pierce

The Gesneriaceae (Lamiales) is a family of flowering plants comprising >3000 species of mainly tropical origin, the most familiar of which is the cultivated African violet ( Saintpaulia spp.). Species of Gesneriaceae are poorly represented in the lists of taxa sampled for genome size estimation; measurements are available for three species of Ramonda and one each of Haberlea , Saintpaulia, and Streptocarpus , all species of Old World origin. We report here nuclear genome size estimates for 10 species of Sinningia , a neotropical genus largely restricted to Brazil. Flow cytometry of leaf cell nuclei showed that holoploid genome size in Sinningia is very small (approximately two times the size of the Arabidopsis genome), and is small compared to the other six species of Gesneriaceae with genome size estimates. We also documented intraspecific genome size variation of 21%–26% within a group of wild Sinningia speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern collections. In addition, we analyzed 1210 genome survey sequences from S. speciosa to characterize basic features of the nuclear genome such as guanine–cytosine content, types of repetitive elements, numbers of protein-coding sequences, and sequences unique to S. speciosa. We included several other angiosperm species as genome size standards, one of which was the snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus L.; Veronicaceae, Lamiales). Multiple measurements on three accessions indicated that the genome size of A. majus is ∼633 × 106 base pairs, which is approximately 40% of the previously published estimate.

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (10) ◽  
pp. 847-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly L. Mulligan ◽  
Terra C. Hiebert ◽  
Nicholas W. Jeffery ◽  
T. Ryan Gregory

Ribbon worms (phylum Nemertea) are among several animal groups that have been overlooked in past studies of genome-size diversity. Here, we report genome-size estimates for eight species of nemerteans, including representatives of the major lineages in the phylum. Genome sizes in these species ranged more than fivefold, and there was some indication of a positive relationship with body size. Somatic endopolyploidy also appears to be common in these animals. Importantly, this study demonstrates that both of the most common methods of genome-size estimation (flow cytometry and Feulgen image analysis densitometry) can be used to assess genome size in ribbon worms, thereby facilitating additional efforts to investigate patterns of variability in nuclear DNA content in this phylum.


2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-113
Author(s):  
Sandra Cichorz ◽  
Maria Gośka ◽  
Monika Rewers

AbstractSinceM. sinensisAnderss.,M. sacchariflorus(Maxim.) Hack. andM. ×giganteusJ.M.Greef & Deuter ex Hodk. and Renvoize have considerably the highest potential for biomass production amongMiscanthusAnderss. species, there is an urgent need to broaden the knowledge about cytological characteristics required for their improvement. In this study our objectives were to assess the genome size variation among eighteenMiscanthusaccessions, as well as estimation of the monoploid genome size (2C and Cx) of theM. sinensiscultivars, which have not been analyzed yet. The characterization of threeMiscanthusspecies was performed with the use of flow cytometry and analysis of the stomatal length. The triploid (2n = 3x = 57)M. sinensis‘Goliath’ andM. ×giganteusclones possessed the highest 2C DNA content (8.34 pg and 7.43 pg, respectively). The intermediate 2C-values were found in the nuclei of the diploid (2n = 2x = 38)M. sinensisaccessions (5.52–5.72 pg), whereas they were the lowest in the diploid (2n = 2x = 38)M. sacchariflorusecotypes (4.58–4.59 pg). The presented study revealed interspecific variation of nuclear DNA content (P<0.01) and therefore allowed for recognition of particular taxa, inter- and intraspecific hybrids and prediction of potential parental components. Moreover, intraspecific genome size variation (P<0.01) was observed inM. sinensiscultivars at 3.62%. The values of the stomatal size obtained for the triploidM. ×giganteus‘Great Britain’ (mean 30.70 μm) or ‘Canada’ (mean 29.67 μm) and diploidM. sinensis‘Graziella’ (mean 29.96 μm) did not differ significantly, therefore this parameter is not recommended for ploidy estimation.


Genome ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 730-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Kankanpää ◽  
Alan H. Schulman ◽  
Leena Mannonen

Hordeum, distributed worldwide in temperate zones, is the second largest genus in the tribe Triticeae and includes diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid species. We determined, by DAPI staining and flow cytometry, the nuclear DNA content for 35 accessions of the genus Hordeum, from a total of 19 species, including specimens of 2 cultivars and 2 landraces of Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare as well as samples of 12 Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum populations. Genome sizes ranged from 5.69 to 9.41 pg for the G1 nuclei of the diploids, and from 13.13 to 18.36 pg for those of the tetraploids. This constitutes a 1.7-fold variation for the diploids, contrasting with a 4% variation previously reported. For H. vulgare ssp. vulgare (barley), the accessions examined differed by 18%. These variations in genome size cannot be correlated with meiotic pairing groups (I, H, X, Y) or with proposed phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Genome size variation between barley accessions cannot be related to status as cultivated or wild, or to climatic or geological gradients. We suggest these data may indicate rapid but sporadic changes in genome size within the genus. Key words : barley, Hordeum, Triticeae, genome size, flow cytometry.


2020 ◽  
Vol 126 (6) ◽  
pp. 1077-1087
Author(s):  
Dora Čertnerová ◽  
Pavel Škaloud

Abstract Background and Aims While nuclear DNA content variation and its phenotypic consequences have been well described for animals, vascular plants and macroalgae, much less about this topic is known regarding unicellular algae and protists in general. The dearth of data is especially pronounced when it comes to intraspecific genome size variation. This study attempts to investigate the extent of intraspecific variability in genome size and its adaptive consequences in a microalgal species. Methods Propidium iodide flow cytometry was used to estimate the absolute genome size of 131 strains (isolates) of the golden-brown alga Synura petersenii (Chrysophyceae, Stramenopiles), identified by identical internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA barcodes. Cell size, growth rate and genomic GC content were further assessed on a sub-set of strains. Geographic location of 67 sampling sites across the Northern hemisphere was used to extract climatic database data and to evaluate the ecogeographical distribution of genome size diversity. Key Results Genome size ranged continuously from 0.97 to 2.02 pg of DNA across the investigated strains. The genome size was positively associated with cell size and negatively associated with growth rate. Bioclim variables were not correlated with genome size variation. No clear trends in the geographical distribution of strains of a particular genome size were detected, and strains of different genome size occasionally coexisted at the same locality. Genomic GC content was significantly associated only with genome size via a quadratic relationship. Conclusions Genome size variability in S. petersenii was probably triggered by an evolutionary mechanism operating via gradual changes in genome size accompanied by changes in genomic GC content, such as, for example, proliferation of transposable elements. The variation was reflected in cell size and relative growth rate, possibly with adaptive consequences.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Blommaert ◽  
Simone Riss ◽  
Bette Hecox-Lea ◽  
David B. Mark-Welch ◽  
Claus-Peter Stelzer

Abstract Background: The causes and consequences of genome size variation across Eukaryotes, which spans five orders of magnitude, have been hotly debated since before the advent of genome sequencing. Previous studies have mostly examined variation among larger taxonomic units (e.g., orders, or genera), while comparisons among closely related species are rare. Rotifers of the Brachionus plicatilis species complex exhibit a seven-fold variation in genome size and thus represent a unique opportunity to study such changes on a relatively short evolutionary timescale. Here, we sequenced and analysed the genomes of four species of this complex with nuclear DNA contents spanning 110- 422 Mbp. To establish the likely mechanisms of genome size change, we analysed both sequencing read libraries and assemblies for signatures of polyploidy and repetitive element content. We also compared these genomes to that of B. calyciflorus, the closest relative with a sequenced genome (293 Mbp nuclear DNA content). Results summary: Despite the very large differences in genome size, we saw no evidence of ploidy level changes across the B. plicatilis complex. However, repetitive element content explained a large portion of genome size variation (at least 54%). The species with the largest genome, B. asplanchnoidis, has a strikingly high 44% repetitive element content, while the smaller B. plicatilis genomes contain between 14% and 25% repetitive elements. According to our analyses, the B. calyciflorus genome contains 39% repetitive elements, which is substantially higher than previously reported (21%), and suggests that high repetitive element load could be widespread in monogonont rotifers. Conclusions: Even though the genome sizes of these species are at the low end of the Metazoan spectrum, their genomes contain substantial amounts of repetitive elements. Polyploidy does not appear to play a role in genome size variations in these species, and these variations can be mostly explained by changes in repetitive element content. This contradicts the naïve expectation that small genomes are streamlined, or less complex, and that large variations in nuclear DNA content between closely related species are due to polyploidy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Blommaert ◽  
Simone Riss ◽  
Bette Hecox-Lea ◽  
David B. Mark-Welch ◽  
Claus-Peter Stelzer

Abstract Background: The causes and consequences of genome size variation across Eukaryotes, which spans five orders of magnitude, have been hotly debated since before the advent of genome sequencing. Previous studies have mostly examined variation among larger taxonomic units (e.g., orders, or genera), while comparisons among closely related species are rare. Rotifers of the Brachionus plicatilis species complex exhibit a seven-fold variation in genome size and thus represent a unique opportunity to study such changes on a relatively short evolutionary timescale. Here, we sequenced and analysed the genomes of four species of this complex with nuclear DNA contents spanning 110- 422 Mbp. To establish the likely mechanisms of genome size change, we analysed both sequencing read libraries and assemblies for signatures of polyploidy and repetitive element content. We also compared these genomes to that of B. calyciflorus, the closest relative with a sequenced genome (293 Mbp nuclear DNA content). Results summary: Despite the very large differences in genome size, we saw no evidence of ploidy level changes across the B. plicatilis complex. However, repetitive element content explained a large portion of genome size variation (at least 54%). The species with the largest genome, B. asplanchnoidis, has a strikingly high 44% repetitive element content, while the smaller B. plicatilis genomes contain between 14% and 25% repetitive elements. According to our analyses, the B. calyciflorus genome contains 39% repetitive elements, which is substantially higher than previously reported (21%), and suggests that high repetitive element load could be widespread in monogonont rotifers. Conclusions: Even though the genome sizes of these species are at the low end of the Metazoan spectrum, their genomes contain substantial amounts of repetitive elements. Polyploidy does not appear to play a role in genome size variations in these species, and these variations can be mostly explained by changes in repetitive element content. This contradicts the naïve expectation that small genomes are streamlined, or less complex, and that large variations in nuclear DNA content between closely related species are due to polyploidy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Esmeralda Blommaert ◽  
Simone Riss ◽  
Bette Hecox-Lea ◽  
David B. Mark-Welch ◽  
Claus-Peter Stelzer

Abstract Background The causes and consequences of genome size variation across Eukaryotes, which spans five orders of magnitude, have been hotly debated since before the advent of genome sequencing. Previous studies have mostly examined variation among larger taxonomic units (e.g., orders, or genera), while comparisons among closely related species are rare. Rotifers of the Brachionus plicatilis species complex exhibit a seven-fold variation in genome size and thus represent a unique opportunity to study such changes on a relatively short evolutionary timescale. Here, we sequenced and analysed the genomes of four species of this complex with nuclear DNA contents spanning 110- 422 Mbp. To establish the likely mechanisms of genome size change, we analysed both sequencing read libraries and assemblies for signatures of polyploidy and repetitive element content. We also compared these genomes to that of B. calyciflorus, the closest relative with a sequenced genome (293 Mbp nuclear DNA content). Results summary Despite the very large differences in genome size, we saw no evidence of ploidy level changes across the B. plicatilis complex. However, repetitive element content explained a large portion of genome size variation (at least 54%). The species with the largest genome, B. asplanchnoidis, has a strikingly high 44% repetitive element content, while the smaller B. plicatilis genomes contain between 14% and 25% repetitive elements. According to our analyses, the B. calyciflorus genome contains 39% repetitive elements, which is substantially higher than previously reported (21%), and suggests that high repetitive element load could be widespread in monogonont rotifers. Conclusions Even though the genome sizes of these species are at the low end of the Metazoan spectrum, their genomes contain substantial amounts of repetitive elements. Polyploidy does not appear to play a role in genome size variations in these species, and these variations can be mostly explained by changes in repetitive element content. This contradicts the naïve expectation that small genomes are streamlined, or less complex, and that large variations in nuclear DNA content between closely related species are due to polyploidy.


Genome ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elzbieta Kuta ◽  
Borut Bohanec ◽  
Ewa Dubas ◽  
Liliana Vizintin ◽  
Leslaw Przywara

Chromosomes and nuclear DNA amount were analyzed in leaf tissues of Luzula nivea, Luzula luzuloides, and Luzula multiflora. Intra- and interspecific karyological variability was stated. Chromosome numbers in diploids ranged 2n = 8-24 in L. nivea and L. luzuloides and 2n = 12-84 in hexaploid L. multiflora. Karyological variability resulted mainly from chromosome fission (agmatoploidy) and aneusomaty; chromosome fusion (symploidy) and polyploidy were also involved. Flow cytometric determination of nuclear genome size using propidium iodide staining gave values of 1.584 pg in L. luzuloides, 1.566 pg in L. nivea, and 3.034 pg in L. multiflora. Variability in relative nuclear genome size within species was measured by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. In contrast with previous reports, variability was fairly small and ranged from 1.796 to 1.864 pg in L. luzuloides, from 1.783 to 1.847 pg and from 1.737 to 1.808 pg in two populations (S and F) of L. nivea, respectively, and from 3.125 to 3.271 pg in L. multiflora. An intraplant (interleaf) genome size variation was also observed and its possible causes are discussed.Key words: Luzula, holokinetic chromosomes, agmatoploidy, symploidy, polyploidy, nuclear DNA amount, intraplant genome size variability, flow cytometry.


Botany ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 397-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Kolarčik ◽  
V. Kocová ◽  
D. Caković ◽  
T. Kačmárová ◽  
J. Piovár ◽  
...  

We used flow cytometry (FCM) to investigate genome size variation in two polymorphic allopolyploids, Onosma arenaria Waldst. and Kit. and O. pseudoarenaria Schur, in Central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. An intercalating DNA stain, propidium iodide (PI), and internal standardization were used. Our data showed that cytosolic compounds may be present in FCM samples and could inhibit, or more frequently promote, PI intercalation. In the absence of PI intercalation interference, leaf-based genome size estimates were observed to be lower than seed-based ones in O. pseudoarenaria, whereas no difference was recorded in O. arenaria. In incubation tests, genome size values frequently increase after a longer staining period. For final genome size measurements, we applied the FCM protocol based on seed material using a ∼150 min incubation period, and provide evidence of mean genome size variation among populations of both species. Two and four natural genome size groups were revealed in O. arenaria and O. pseudoarenaria respectively. Group mean genome sizes varied considerably in both O. arenaria (5.36–5.76 pg) and O. pseudoarenaria (5.98–6.58 pg). This extensive genome size variation is attributed to unexplored taxonomic heterogenity in both taxa. Future taxonomic revision of the group may be supported with genome size measurements obtained using an appropriately standardized methodology.


2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Itayguara Ribeiro da Costa ◽  
Marcelo Carnier Dornelas ◽  
Eliana Regina Forni-Martins

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document