Phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex

Abstract The Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex (CGSC) is one of the most devastating fungal phytopathogens, and is composed of three main clades: Kahawae, Musae, and Theobromicola. Despite the diversity of CGSC, there is limited understanding on their evolutionary mechanisms. By analysi...

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Main Authors: Ziying Ma, Fang Liu, Clement K. M. Tsui, Lei Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08024-9
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author Ziying Ma
Fang Liu
Clement K. M. Tsui
Lei Cai
author_facet Ziying Ma
Fang Liu
Clement K. M. Tsui
Lei Cai
author_sort Ziying Ma
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex (CGSC) is one of the most devastating fungal phytopathogens, and is composed of three main clades: Kahawae, Musae, and Theobromicola. Despite the diversity of CGSC, there is limited understanding on their evolutionary mechanisms. By analysing 49 newly assembled genomes, we found that the expansion of transposable elements, especially long terminal repeat retrotransposons, facilitates the expansion of genome size and genetic variation. In-depth analyses suggested that an intra-chromosomal inversion may have been the driving force behind the divergence of Kahawae clade from its ancestor. Within the Kahawae clade, the narrow-hosted quarantine species C. kahawae has undergone extensive chromosomal rearrangements mediated by repetitive sequences, generating highly dynamic lineage-specific genomic regions compared to the closely related broad-hosted species C. cigarro. The findings of this study highlight the role of chromosomal rearrangements in promoting genetic diversification and host adaptation, and provide new perspectives for understanding the evolution of phytopathogenic fungi.
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spelling doaj-art-bf7d66f00e324fc4a0a0e8e4b3a19bb32025-08-20T02:17:10ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422025-04-018111510.1038/s42003-025-08024-9Phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complexZiying Ma0Fang Liu1Clement K. M. Tsui2Lei Cai3State Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity and Innovative Utilization, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity and Innovative Utilization, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesFaculty of Medicine, University of British ColumbiaState Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity and Innovative Utilization, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract The Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex (CGSC) is one of the most devastating fungal phytopathogens, and is composed of three main clades: Kahawae, Musae, and Theobromicola. Despite the diversity of CGSC, there is limited understanding on their evolutionary mechanisms. By analysing 49 newly assembled genomes, we found that the expansion of transposable elements, especially long terminal repeat retrotransposons, facilitates the expansion of genome size and genetic variation. In-depth analyses suggested that an intra-chromosomal inversion may have been the driving force behind the divergence of Kahawae clade from its ancestor. Within the Kahawae clade, the narrow-hosted quarantine species C. kahawae has undergone extensive chromosomal rearrangements mediated by repetitive sequences, generating highly dynamic lineage-specific genomic regions compared to the closely related broad-hosted species C. cigarro. The findings of this study highlight the role of chromosomal rearrangements in promoting genetic diversification and host adaptation, and provide new perspectives for understanding the evolution of phytopathogenic fungi.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08024-9
spellingShingle Ziying Ma
Fang Liu
Clement K. M. Tsui
Lei Cai
Phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex
Communications Biology
title Phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex
title_full Phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex
title_fullStr Phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex
title_full_unstemmed Phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex
title_short Phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex
title_sort phylogenomics and adaptive evolution of the colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08024-9
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