Genomic and ecological characterization of unclassified tetraploid Echinochloa plants distributed in northern Japan
Understanding the evolutionary origins of globally noxious weeds provides insights into the genetic background of weediness. Among species of Echinochloa, the hexaploid E. crus-galli was previously thought to have arisen through hybridization and allopolyploidization between tetraploid E. oryzicola and an undiscovered diploid species, although they exhibit marked differences in both ecological…
The study examines the origins of unclassified tetraploid Echinochloa plants found in northern Japan, which exhibit unique ecological and morphological traits. These plants, dubbed "ninja" for this research, were discovered to have a separate genomic makeup compared to previously known Echinochloa species. Genetic analysis shows that ninja shares a close relationship with E. oryzicola, both in its chloroplast and nuclear genomes, but has a broader habitat range that partially overlaps with E. oryzicola and extends into areas previously occupied by E. crus-galli.
This suggests that the hexaploid E. crus-galli might have originated from a tetraploid Echinochloa species different from E. oryzicola, as the two share similar genomic compositions. The findings highlight the potential for ninja to have played a role in the genetic background of weediness observed in Echinochloa species.
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