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Background <p>The <i>Rhododendron</i> genus (<i>Rhododendron</i> L.), recognized as the most extensive woody plant genus in the Northern Hemisphere, captivates with its strikingly beautiful corollas and variety of flower colors. In addition, the <i>Rhododendron</i> genus exhibits a complex evolutionary history and substantial species diversification. To comprehensively understand the genomic complexity and flower color diversity within this genus, comparative genomics has emerged as a promising approach, enabling analysis at a super-species level.</p> Results <p>Here, we collected whole-genome data from seven rhododendrons of different subgenera to investigate the patterns of interspecific genomic and sequence divergence, as well as evolutionary dynamics of gene family related to flower color. We discovered that approximately 50% of <i>Rhododendron</i> genomes are composed of transposable elements (TEs), with over half of them being long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs). TEs significantly associate with genomic differentiation and structural variances within the genus. Additionally, the duplication and loss of genes associated with flower color and their corresponding expression over time are potentially driven by TEs.</p> Conclusion <p>Our comparative genomic analysis accentuates the critical role of TEs in genome divergence within the <i>Rhododendron</i> genus, highlighting their potential role as a key factor governing speciation and interspecific variability within the genus.</p>

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A pangenome insight into the genome divergence and flower color diversity among Rhododendron species

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月6日

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  • Hai-Yao Ma,
  • Shuai Nie,
  • Hai-Bo Liu,
  • Tian-Le Shi,
  • Shi-Wei Zhao,
  • Zhao-Yang Chen,
  • Yu-Tao Bao,
  • Zhi-Chao Li,
  • Jian-Feng Mao

摘要

Background

The Rhododendron genus (Rhododendron L.), recognized as the most extensive woody plant genus in the Northern Hemisphere, captivates with its strikingly beautiful corollas and variety of flower colors. In addition, the Rhododendron genus exhibits a complex evolutionary history and substantial species diversification. To comprehensively understand the genomic complexity and flower color diversity within this genus, comparative genomics has emerged as a promising approach, enabling analysis at a super-species level.

Results

Here, we collected whole-genome data from seven rhododendrons of different subgenera to investigate the patterns of interspecific genomic and sequence divergence, as well as evolutionary dynamics of gene family related to flower color. We discovered that approximately 50% of Rhododendron genomes are composed of transposable elements (TEs), with over half of them being long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs). TEs significantly associate with genomic differentiation and structural variances within the genus. Additionally, the duplication and loss of genes associated with flower color and their corresponding expression over time are potentially driven by TEs.

Conclusion

Our comparative genomic analysis accentuates the critical role of TEs in genome divergence within the Rhododendron genus, highlighting their potential role as a key factor governing speciation and interspecific variability within the genus.