AUTHOR=Ahmad Muhammad , Leroy Thibault , Krigas Nikos , Temsch Eva M. , Weiss-Schneeweiss Hanna , Lexer Christian , Sehr Eva Maria , Paun Ovidiu 

TITLE=Spatial and Ecological Drivers of Genetic Structure in Greek Populations of Alkanna tinctoria (Boraginaceae), a Polyploid Medicinal Herb

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.706574

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2021.706574

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background and Aims:</bold> Quantifying genetic variation is fundamental to understand a species’ demographic trajectory and its ability to adapt to future changes. In comparison with diploids, however, genetic variation and factors fostering genetic divergence remain poorly studied in polyploids due to analytical challenges. Here, by employing a ploidy-aware framework, we investigated the genetic structure and its determinants in polyploid <italic>Alkanna tinctoria</italic> (Boraginaceae), an ancient medicinal herb that is the source of bioactive compounds known as alkannin and shikonin (A/S). From a practical perspective, such investigation can inform biodiversity management strategies.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> We collected 14 populations of <italic>A. tinctoria</italic> within its main distribution range in Greece and genotyped them using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. In addition, we included two populations of <italic>A. sieberi</italic>. By using a ploidy-aware genotype calling based on likelihoods, we generated a dataset of 16,107 high-quality SNPs. Classical and model-based analysis was done to characterize the genetic structure within and between the sampled populations, complemented by genome size measurements and chromosomal counts. Finally, to reveal the drivers of genetic structure, we searched for associations between allele frequencies and spatial and climatic variables.</p><p><bold>Key Results:</bold> We found support for a marked regional structure in <italic>A. tinctoria</italic> along a latitudinal gradient in line with phytogeographic divisions. Several analyses identified interspecific admixture affecting both mainland and island populations. Modeling of spatial and climatic variables further demonstrated a larger contribution of neutral processes and a lesser albeit significant role of selection in shaping the observed genetic structure in <italic>A. tinctoria</italic>.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Current findings provide evidence of strong genetic structure in <italic>A. tinctoria</italic> mainly driven by neutral processes. The revealed natural genomic variation in Greek <italic>Alkanna</italic> can be used to further predict variation in A/S production, whereas our bioinformatics approach should prove useful for the study of other non-model polyploid species.</p>