Scientific news

This study employed a comprehensive phylogenomic, synteny, and gene family analysis across six Rhus species and three additional Anacardiaceae plants (Mangifera indica, Pistacia vera, and Anacardium occidentale). Our findings revealed distinct evolutionary trajectories: Mangifera/Anacardium underwent lineage-specific whole-genome duplications (WGDs) with chromosomal rearrangements, while Rhus/Pistacia retained only the ancestral gamma duplication. Pistacia's genome expanded via transposable elements (TEs), whereas Rhus conserved chromosomal synteny despite accumulating TE-mediated structural variations. Some defense-related gene families, including WRKY transcription factors and nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes, displayed substantial expansions and stress-responsive expression patterns, with 31 WRKY genes significantly upregulated during aphid infestation. NLRs clustered on chromosomes 4/12 showed positive selection signatures. Long terminal repeat retrotransposons exhibited Pleistocene-era activation bursts, potentially linked to climatic adaptation.