Transposable Element Landscape in the Monotypic Species <i>Barthea barthei</i> (Hance) Krass (Melastomataceae) and Its Role in Ecological Adaptation.

ABSTRACT: Transposable elements (TEs) are crucial for genome evolution and ecological adaptation, but their dynamics in non-model plants are poorly understood. Using genomic, transcriptomic, and population genomic approaches, we analyzed the TE landscape of Barthea barthei (Melastomataceae), a species distributed across tropical and subtropical southern China. We identified 64,866 TE copies (16.76% of a 235 Mb genome), dominated by Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposons (8.82%) and DNA/Mutator elements (2.7%). A genome-wide analysis revealed 13 TE islands enriched in genes related to photosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, and stress response. We identified 3859 high-confidence TE insertion polymorphisms (TIPs), including 29 fixed insertions between red and white flower ecotypes, affecting genes involved

SUBMITTER: Wu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11939994 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature