Abstract
Willows (Salix) and poplars (Populus) are dioecious plants in Salicaceae family. Sex chromosome in poplar genome was consistently reported to be associated with chromosome XIX. In contrast to poplar, this study revealed that chromosome XV was sex chromosome in willow. Previous studies revealed that both ZZ/ZW and XX/XY sex-determining systems could be present in some species of Populus. In this study, sex of S. suchowensis was found to be determined by the ZW system in which the female was the heterogametic gender. Gene syntenic and collinear comparisons revealed macrosynteny between sex chromosomes and the corresponding autosomes between these two lineages. By contrast, no syntenic segments were found to be shared between poplar's and willow's sex chromosomes. Syntenic analysis also revealed substantial chromosome rearrangements between willow's alternate sex chromatids. Since willow and poplar originate from a common ancestor, we proposed that evolution of autosomes into sex chromosomes in these two lineages occurred after their divergence. Results of this study indicate that sex chromosomes in Salicaceae are still at the early stage of evolutionary divergence. Additionally, this study provided valuable information for better understanding the genetics and evolution of sex chromosome in dioecious plants.
Highlights
Willows (Salix) and poplars (Populus) are dioecious plants in Salicaceae family
Sex of S. suchowensis was found to be determined by the ZW system in which the female was the heterogametic gender
Semerikov et al reported that a single locus governed the sex determination and the female was the heterogametic gender in basket willow[20]
Summary
Different autosomes evolved into sex chromosomes in the sister genera of Salix and Populus. Since willow and poplar originate from a common ancestor, we proposed that evolution of autosomes into sex chromosomes in these two lineages occurred after their divergence. Semerikov et al reported that a single locus governed the sex determination and the female was the heterogametic gender in basket willow[20]. Quite recently in species of this family, Salicaceae is a desirable system to study the genetics and evolution of sex chromosomes in dioecious plants. To gain further insight into the origin and evolution of sex chromosomes in Salicaceae species, we identified the sex chromosome in S. suchowensis, as well as compared the sex chromosomes between the sister genera of Salix and Populus
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