Natural selection drives population divergence for local adaptation in a wheat pathogen
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Date
2020-08
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
Evolution favors the emergence of locally-adapted optimum phenotypes that are likely to differ across a wide array of environmental conditions. The emergence of favorable adaptive characteristics is accelerated in agricultural pathogens due to the unique properties of agro-ecosystems. We performed a QST - FST comparison using 164 strains of Parastagonospora nodorum sampled from eight global field populations to disentangle the predominant evolutionary forces driving population divergence in a wheat pathogen. We used digital image analysis to obtain quantitative measurements of growth rate and melanization at different temperatures and under different fungicide concentrations in a common garden experiment. FST measures were based on complete genome sequences obtained for all 164 isolates. Our analyses indicated that all measured traits were under selection. Growth rates at 18 °C and 24 °C were under stabilizing selection (QST < FST), while diversifying selection (QST > FST) was the predominant evolutionary force affecting growth under fungicide and high temperature stress. Stabilizing selection (QST < FST) was the predominant force affecting melanization across the different environments. Melanin production increased at 30 °C but was negatively correlated with higher growth rates, consistent with a trade-off under heat stress. Our results demonstrate that global populations of P. nodorum possess significant evolutionary potential to adapt to changing local conditions, including warmer temperatures and applications of fungicides.
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published
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Journal / series
Volume
141
Pages / Article No.
103398
Publisher
Elsevier
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Subject
Population genetics; Pathogen evolution; Thermal adaptation; Fungicide resistance; Diversifying selection; Parastagonospora nodorum
Organisational unit
03516 - McDonald, Bruce (emeritus) / McDonald, Bruce (emeritus)
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Is compiled by: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000453101