Genome-wide repeat dynamics reflect phylogenetic distance in closely related allotetraploid Nicotiana (Solanaceae)

Research on Nicotiana sect. Repandae, allotetraploid species originating from a single polyploidization event 5 million years ago, reveals that genome-wide repeat dynamics align with phylogenetic distance. Contrary to previous hypotheses suggesting N. nudicaulis as sister to the other three species, this study supports a revised phylogeny: N. repanda is sister to the Revillagigedo Island taxa (N. nesophila and N. stocktonii), while N. nudicaulis remains basal. The findings, derived from high-throughput sequencing and genome skimming analyses of repetitive DNA clusters, confirm that broad-scale repeat patterns reflect evolutionary history. This challenges earlier interpretations based on transposable element dynamics, underscoring the predictive power of repeat dynamics in phylogenetic studies.

Dodsworth, S., Jang, T.-S., Struebig, M., Chase, M. W., Weiss-Schneeweiss, H., & Leitch, A. R. (2016). Genome-wide repeat dynamics reflect phylogenetic distance in closely related allotetraploid Nicotiana (Solanaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution, 303(8), 1013–1020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-016-1356-9