Xiao-Ru Wang - Genetics of Hybrid Speciation and Novel Adaptation

Hybridization among plants may lead to the formation of new species and adaptation to novel habitats. We investigate the genetic and ecological mechanisms involved in diploid hybrid speciation in pines.


Hybridization is an important force in plant evolution. It can quickly create evolutionary novelties that promote adaptation and speciation. Pinus densata forms extensive forests on the Tibetan Plateau. Documented evidence indicates that P. densata originated via natural hybridization between two other pine species, and dates back to the uplift of the plateau 5-10 million years ago. Its ancient history and unique adaptation offer a rare opportunity to study the genetic basis of speciation. Natural populations of the ancient hybrid, populations at the species’ boundaries and man-made F1 hybrids will be used in comparative analyses. By combining genetic and ecological approaches with molecular functional studies, we are investigating the tempo and mode of the hybrid speciation. This project is relevant to understanding the patterns of functional divergence of gene families and the relationship between genetic variation and ecological diversification. This project is being run in close collaboration with the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Marker-based pedigree reconstruction
Pedigree reconstruction is a key to investigating several major issues in genetics and breeding. Accurate pedigree construction and parentage assignment require high-resolution DNA markers and advanced statistical methods. In this project, we explore the possibility to reconstruct sibship structures from wind-pollinated progenies of Scots pine and Norway spruce seed orchards. This research is relevant to evaluating the gene diversity and gain of seed orchard crops, which supply more than 50% of the seedlings used in Swedish forest plantations, and the feasibility of low-input breeding programs in the future. This project is being run in collaboration with the Forest Genetics section (SLU) of UPSC.
Svensk samanfattning

Key Publications

Wang, X.-R., Szmidt, A.E. & Savolainen, O. 2001. Genetic composition and diploid hybrid speciation of a high moun- tain pine, Pinus densata, native to the Tibetan plateau. Genetics 159: 337-346.

Song, B.-H., Wang, X.-Q., Wang, X.-R., Ding, K.-Y. & Hong, D.-Y. 2003. Cytoplasmic composition in Pinus densa- ta and population establishment of the diploid hybrid pine. Molecular Ecology 12:2995-3001.

Zeng, Q.-Y. & Wang, X.-R. 2005. Catalytic properties of glutathione-binding residues in a τ class glutathione transferase (PtGSTU1) from Pinus tabulaeformis. FEBS Letters 579: 2657–2662.

Ma, X.-F., Szmidt, A.E. & Wang, X.-R. 2006. Genetic structure and evolutionary history of a diploid hybrid pine Pinus densata inferred from the nucleotide variation at seven gene loci. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 23:807-816.

Mao, J.-F., Li, Y. & Wang, X.-R. 2008. Empirical assessment of the reproductive fitness components of the hybrid pine Pinus densata on the Tibetan Plateau. Evolutionay Ecology, DOI 10.1007/s10682-008-9244-6.

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