Insights into the differentiation and adaptation within Circaeasteraceae from Circaeaster agrestis genome sequencing and resequencing

Circaeaster agrestis and Kingdonia uniflora are sister species that reproduce sexually and mainly asexually respectively, providing a good system for compar-ative genome evolution between taxa with different reproductive models. Comparative genome analyses revealed the two species have similar genome size, but C. agrestis encodes many more genes. The gene families specific to C. agrestis show significant enrichment of genes associated with defense response, while those gene families specific to K. uniflora are enriched in genes regulating root system development. Collinearity analyses revealed C. agrestis experienced two rounds of whole-genome duplication. Fst outlier test across 25 C. agrestis populations uncovered a close inter-relationship between abiotic stress and genetic variability. Genetic feature comparisons showed K. uniflora presents much higher genome heterozygosity, transposable element load, link-age disequilibrium degree, and pN/pS ratio. This study provides new insights into understanding the genetic differentiation and adaptation within ancient lin-eages characterized by multiple reproductive models.

Automated summary

Circaeaster agrestis and Kingdonia uniflora, two sister species with different reproductive models, were compared to investigate genome evolution. C. agrestis had more genes and gene families associated with defense response, while K. uniflora had more gene families regulating root system development. C. agrestis experienced two rounds of whole-genome duplication. This study provides insights into the genetic differentiation and adaptation within ancient lineages characterized by multiple reproductive models.