Hybridization capture of larch ( Larix Mill.) chloroplast genomes from sedimentary ancient DNA reveals past changes of Siberian forest


Contact
luise.schulte [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

Siberian larch (Larix Mill.) forests dominate vast areas of northern Russia and contribute important ecosystem services to the world. It is important to understand the past dynamics of larches in order to predict their likely response to a changing climate in the future. Sedimentary ancient DNA extracted from lake sediment cores can serve as archives to study past vegetation. However, the traditional method of studying sedimentary ancient DNA—metabarcoding—focuses on small fragments, which cannot resolve Larix to species level nor allow a detailed study of population dynamics. Here, we use shotgun sequencing and hybridization capture with long-range PCR-generated baits covering the complete Larix chloroplast genome to study Larix populations from a sediment core reaching back to 6700 years from the Taymyr region in northern Siberia. In comparison with shotgun sequencing, hybridization capture results in an increase in taxonomically classified reads by several orders of magnitude and the recovery of complete chloroplast genomes of Larix. Variation in the chloroplast reads corroborates an invasion of Larix gmelinii into the range of Larix sibirica before 6700 years ago. Since then, both species have been present at the site, although larch populations have decreased with only a few trees remaining in what was once a forested area. This study demonstrates for the first time that hybridization capture applied directly to ancient DNA of plants extracted from lake sediments can provide genome-scale information and is a viable tool for studying past genomic changes in populations of single species, irrespective of a preservation as macrofossil.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
54308
DOI 10.1111/1755-0998.13311

Cite as
Schulte, L. , Bernhardt, N. , Stoof‐Leichsenring, K. , Zimmermann, H. H. , Pestryakova, L. A. , Epp, L. S. and Herzschuh, U. (2021): Hybridization capture of larch ( Larix Mill.) chloroplast genomes from sedimentary ancient DNA reveals past changes of Siberian forest , Molecular Ecology Resources, 21 (3), pp. 801-815 . doi: 10.1111/1755-0998.13311


Download
[thumbnail of 1755-0998_13311.pdf]
Preview
PDF
1755-0998_13311.pdf

Download (1MB) | Preview

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Geographical region

Research Platforms

Campaigns
Arctic Land Expeditions > RU-Land_2011_Khatanga

Funded by
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/772852


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item