Abstract
Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Ancestral genome duplication, genomic diploidization, allopatric diploid speciation and recent allotetraploidy (hybrid tetraploid formation) have all contributed to the complex evolutionary history of the genus Leucaena Benth. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae: mimosoid clade). This complexity makes Leucaena an exemplary group to investigate the impacts of these diverse mechanisms on plant speciation across time and space. Furthermore, this complex evolutionary history offers unique opportunities and challenges for translational applied research to improve the use of Leucaena in agroforestry, livestock production, soil stabilization and enrichment and biofuels. Here we review and synthesize historical and recent research on the evolutionary history of Leucaena and highlight the availability of new genomic data resources and tools.
Highlights
The neotropical legume genus Leucaena comprises 24 species, with a native range spanning the southern USA to northern Peru
Numerous human uses for Leucaena have contributed to a long history of use in Mesoamerica for food, shade, firewood and even spiritual medicine
Archaeological evidence from seed remains in caves dates the use of Leucaena seeds as a minor food source by Mixtec and Nahuatl people to at least 6,000 years ago
Summary
The neotropical legume genus Leucaena comprises 24 species, with a native range spanning the southern USA to northern Peru. We provide an overview of species diversity and the evolutionary history of Leucaena, focusing especially on studies over the last 30 years. These studies have revealed a complex history, which includes paleopolyploidy, genomic diploidization, allopatric diploid divergences, recent interspecific hybridization and allopolyploidization precipitated by anthropogenic translocation and cultivation (Hughes et al 2007; Govindarajulu et al 2011a, 2011b). This complex myriad of evolutionary mechanisms influencing the history of Leucaena presents challenges for reconstructing an accurate phylogeny. In addition to reviewing past work on Leucaena, we summarize on-going and recently published genomic work and the utility of these new genomic data for basic and applied research on Leucaena
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