Comparative genomics of Meloidogyne haplanaria

Winter, Michael Robert

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes are a scientifically and agriculturally importantgroup of plant parasites. Genomic investigations into this group have proven difficult due to a complex genomic arrangement and recent inter-species hybridisations. Here we design and employ novel bioinformatic workflows to assemble the genomes of Meloidogyne species and perform phylogenomic analyses on them. We use Meloidogyne haplanaria -an emerging crop pest recently shown to be capable of breaking cultivated resistance -as a test organism. We assemble and annotate its genome for the first time andinfer itsposition in the Meloidogynephylogeny. This will inform future investigations into diagnostic and control methods, as well as investigations into the evolutionary history of the genus. The workflows themselves will provide accessible bioinformatic tools for the reproducible assembly and phylogenomic analysis of Meloidogynegenomes to the wider scientific community. Greater elucidation of the complex genomics of the Meloidogyne genus can grant insight into many biological processes, including hybridisation,parasitic adaptation and evolution in the absence of recombination, and the effect that different parthenogenetic sexual systems can have on genomic architecture.

Citation

Winter, M. R. Comparative genomics of Meloidogyne haplanaria. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223716

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2023
• Keywords: Biological sciences
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223716
• Additional Information: Department of Biological & Marine Science, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Sep 1, 2020