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The baobab tree (Baobab genus) has attracted a great deal of attention for its striking shape and unique relationship with animals. These spectacular trees have also influenced human culture, inspiring countless arts, folklore, and traditions.
On May 15, 2024, the team of researcher Wang Qingfeng and researcher Wan Tao from Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences/China-Africa Joint Research Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences published a research paper entitled "The rise of baobab trees in Madagascar" online in Nature, which sequenced the genomes of all 8 existing baobab species and concluded that Madagascar should be considered the origin center of the extant lineage. This is a key question in their evolutionary history.
Integrated genomics and ecological analysis revealed the reticular evolution of the baobab tree, which ultimately led to the species diversity seen today. Past population dynamics of Madagascar baobabs may have been influenced by interspecific competition and the geological history of the island, particularly changes in local sea level. The researchers propose to pay further attention to the conservation status of Madagascar baobabs, in particular Adansononia suarezensis and Adansononia grandididieri, and to strengthen population monitoring given the negative impact of Adanonia za on the critically endangered Adanonia perrieri.
The baobab tree, also known as the baobab tree and the "mother of the forest," has fascinated botanists, tourists, naturalists, and passers-by for centuries. Baobabs are one of the most charismatic species on the planet. Oddly shaped, huge, known for their longevity and versatility, the baobab tree is the earliest record of a marvel at these amazing trees, probably dating back to the ancient Egyptians in 2300 BC. Rooted in folklore and tradition, the baobab tree has inspired countless works of art and has been linked to human settlements and cultures for thousands of years. The genus Baobab (Malvacae family, subfamily Bombacoideae) includes 8 morphologically distinct species. The geographical distribution of the extant baobab tree is unusual, with a tetraploid species, Adansonia digitata (2n = 4x = 168), widely distributed on the African continent, a diploid species, Adansonia gregorii (2n = 2x = 88), confined to northwestern Australia, and six diploid species (2n = 2x = 84,88), endemic to Madagascar. A large number of studies have detailed the natural history of the baobab tree, including its taxonomy, ethnobotany, ecology, and physiology. Except A. With the exception of digitata, all other species are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species 2023, with three Malagasy species endangered (Adansonia perrieri listed as critically endangered, Adansonia grandidieri and Adansonia suarezensis listed as endangered). The remaining Malagasy species are now listed as the least concern, but their declining numbers suggest that stricter conservation strategies are needed to ensure the long-term survival of these culturally and globally important species.
猴面包树属的地理分布和种间的系统发育关系（Credit: Nature）
The study demonstrated high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for all 8 baobab species. Using these data and ecological analyses, the evolutionary history of the genus was revealed, including its origin, diversification, population history, and interspecific hybridization patterns. The findings provide valuable insights into developing effective biological conservation strategies for these spectacular trees in a changing world.
Original link https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07447-4
Editor-in-charge|Explore Jun
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文章来源|“ iNature”
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