Such transient epigenetic stability could be a beneficial mechanism in novel and heterogeneous environments, particularly in a genetically impoverished invader. Our data indicate that epigenetic variation in alligator weed most likely results from a combination of environmental induction and spontaneous epimutation, and that much of it is neither rapidly reversible (phenotypic plasticity) nor long-term stable, but instead displays an intermediate level of stability. However, some epigenetic differentiation remained even after 10 asexual generations. In the field, these differences remained stable across multiple years, whereas in a common environment they were maintained at first but then progressively eroded. Using AFLP and MSAP markers, we found little variation in DNA sequence but substantial epigenetic population differentiation. Here, we combined field monitoring with a multi-generation common garden approach to study the dynamics of DNA methylation variation in invasive Chinese populations of the clonal alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides). While significant epigenetic differences among plants from contrasting habitats have often been observed in the field, the stability of these differences remains little understood. Our results highlight that TE insertions can drive rapid phenotypic variation, which could potentially help with adaptation to changing environments in a species with limited standing genetic variation.Įpigenetic variation may play an important role in how plants cope with novel environments.

In particular, we show that a recent TE insertion at the 3′ UTR of FLC affects mRNA stability, which results in reducing its steady-state expression levels, to promote the onset of flowering. rubella could explain 12.5% of the natural variation in flowering time, a key life history trait correlated with fitness and adaptation.

Furthermore, we show that frequent TE insertions at FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in natural populations of C. rubella are associated with variation in the expression levels of their adjacent genes. rubella compared with its outcrossing sister species Capsella grandiflora, and ( ii ) 4.2% of polymorphic TEs in C. Here, we demonstrate that transposable elements (TEs) are an important source of genetic variation that could account for its high phenotypic diversity. Its distribution is wider than those of its congeneric species, despite an extreme genetic bottleneck event that severely diminished its genetic variation. Capsella rubella, an annual and inbreeding forb (Brassicaceae), is a great system for studying this basic question. How such phenotypic variation is achieved rapidly, despite limited genetic variation in species that experience a genetic bottleneck is unknown. Rapid phenotypic changes in traits of adaptive significance are crucial for organisms to thrive in changing environments. Our research consolidates the importance of TE-associated genetic and epigenetic variation in the rapid adaptation and invasion of M. Twenty-five transposon-inserted genes were sequenced and homology-based annotated, which are found to be involved in a variety of molecular and cellular functions.

Of them, 51 genetic and 44 epigenetic loci were found to correlate with 25 environmental variables (including precipitation, temperature, vegetation coverage, and soil metals). In total, 59 genetic and 86 epigenetic adaptive TE loci were identified. Six and seven TE superfamilies presented significant genetic and epigenetic isolation by distance (IBD) pattern. A similar positive spatial genetic and epigenetic structure pattern was observed within 300 m. micrantha populations maintained an almost equally high level of TE-based genetic and epigenetic variation and they have been differentiated into subpopulations genetically and epigenetically. micrantha in southern China have been examined by using transposon display (TD) and transposon methylation display (TMD) techniques to survey 12 TE superfamilies. The genetic and epigenetic variation of 21 invasive populations of M. Mikania micrantha, a noxious invasive weed, in this sense provides an excellent opportunity to test the explanation. This paradox is explainable in terms of transposable elements (TEs) activity, which are theorized to be powerful mutational forces to create genetic variation. Why invasive species can rapidly adapt to novel environments is a puzzling question known as the genetic paradox of invasive species.

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