Introduction
Poplar genus, scientifically referred to as Populus L., belongs to the Salicaceae family, Salicoideae subfamily and clade C. Poplar's trees and shrubs are dioecious, naturally cross-pollinated and draw from various evolutionary origins (Zhang et al., Reference Zhang, Wu, Ma, Zhai, Han, Jiang, Liu, Xu, Jiao and Li2022).
According to genome sequencing, poplars diverged from willows (Salix) around 6 million years after genome duplication, establishing them as sister genera (Tuskan et al., Reference Tuskan, Difazio, Jansson, Bohlmann, Grigoriev, Hellsten, Hellsten, Putnam, Ralph, Rombauts, Salamov and Rokhsar2006; Dai et al., Reference Dai, Hu, Cai, Feng, Ye, Tuskan, Milne, Chen, Wan, Wang and Luo2014). Following genome duplication in the Populus genus, a significant portion of genomic components was deleted (Zhang et al., Reference Zhang, Zeng and Liu2021). After genome duplication, environmental factors via genetic and epigenetic changes contributed to speciation and adaptation in poplar genus (Dai et al., Reference Dai, Hu, Cai, Feng, Ye, Tuskan, Milne, Chen, Wan, Wang and Luo2014; Zhang et al., Reference Zhang, Zeng and Liu2021). As a result, new traits emerged, including resistance to adverse environmental conditions such as drought, cold and salinity, leading to adaptation of species like Populus euphratica and Populus alba to cold and drought regions (Zhang et al., Reference Zhang, Zeng and Liu2021).
P. euphratica Oliv. was classified under Turanga section, and research revealed that the oldest poplar trees are found within the Turanga and Leuce sections (Cervera et al., Reference Cervera, Storme, Soto, Ivens, Van Montagu, Rajora and Boerjan2005; Wang et al., Reference Wang, Du, Dayanandan, Wang, Zeng and Zhang2014; Zhang et al., Reference Zhang, Zhu, Diao, Wu, Lu, Ding and Su2019). P. euphratica grows in tropical and semi-tropical regions (Wang et al., Reference Wang, Jiang, Ye, Zhu and Wu2019) and exhibits a broad distribution across Asia, including its native habitat in Iran (Maassoumi et al., Reference Maassoumi, Aassadi and Hemmati2011), along with introductions to Egypt and Spain (https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:776672-1). In tropical regions of Iran, P. euphratica and Tamarix species have formed extensive forests along riverbanks, playing vital roles in fodder provision, wood production and environmental equilibrium (Calagari et al., Reference Calagari, Djavanshir, Zobeiry and Modir-Rahmati2000). The species is distributed naturally in expansive regions throughout the country, from sub-tropical areas like Khuzestan to colder zones like Azerbaijan and Zanjan provinces (Sabeti, Reference Sabeti1976). The largest growth areas are concentrated in Khuzestan province, particularly along the banks of major rivers such as Karun, Karkheh and Dez. These regions hold significant economic importance as they serve as crucial sources of timber, fodder and wildlife shelter (Calagari et al., Reference Calagari, Djavanshir, Zobeiry and Modir-Rahmati2000). Furthermore, the species exhibits remarkable resistance to drought, salinity and alkalinity. Geographic and climatic variations within the habitats of P. euphratica influence the morphology of its leaves, such as size and shape, across different populations.
With over 50 million hectares of desert in Iran, the plantation of salinity and drought-resistant species like P. euphratica holds significant ecological and economic values. This diversity highlights adaptability to various environmental conditions and underscores the importance of considering local genetic variation in conservation.
Populus species are notable for their small, consistent chromosome numbers, and similar chromosome sizes. However, karyotypic studies on Populus species are limited, as highlighted by recent literature (Kim et al., Reference Kim, Kwon, Kang, Yoem, Kim, Kim and Kang2020; Xin et al., Reference Xin, Zhang, Wu, Zhang, Zhang, Xi and Jiang2020). The presence of a few documented reports regarding the chromosome count of P. euphratica originating from Iran (Mofidabadi et al., Reference Mofidabadi, Jorabchi, Shahrzad and Mahmodi2001) and worldwide, without any comprehensive karyotypic details, emphasizes the need for further research into the genetic diversity, evolutionary history and conservation of the mentioned important species through chromosome count and karyotypic analysis. Numerous studies have been conducted to understand the genetic characteristics of poplar species (Dai et al., Reference Dai, Hu, Cai, Feng, Ye, Tuskan, Milne, Chen, Wan, Wang and Luo2014; Liu et al., Reference Liu, Wang, Shao, Ye and Zhang2017). Additionally, research has shown that in poplars, triploid plants exhibit higher growth and performance than diploid trees. Therefore, the development of forestry with triploid plants has gained attention. These plants result from the fertilization of unreduced (2n) gametes. These gametes are produced either spontaneously in nature (at a low rate) or using artificial methods (such as colchicine and high temperature) (Wang et al., Reference Wang, Shi, Song, Tian and Kang2013). On the other hand, karyological differences between the plant populations reveal that chromosome structural rearrangements are responsible for the speciation and adaption of plants. Therefore, chromosome number variation and karyo-morphological information provide valuable knowledge for adaptation and improving reforestation programmes. Hence, the present study particularly focused on cytotype patterns and diversity within the species across different regions of Iran for the first time.
Materials and methods
During late winter and before bud opening, cuttings from 10 plant populations of the species, across various provinces in Iran (Fig. 1) were prepared and placed in water containers at room temperature to stimulate root growth. Fresh root tips were then pre-treated with 0.5% α-bromonaphthalene for 1 h at 4°C during early morning hours. Subsequently, they were fixed overnight in a mix of ethanol 96% (three parts) and acetic acid glacial (one part) and finally stored in 70% ethanol. Chromosome preparation and staining were conducted using 1 N HCl (for 8 min, at 60°C) and haematoxylin agents. Metaphase cells were carefully selected and chromosomal parameters: L: long arm; S: short arm; CL: chromosome length; arm ratio (AR: L/S); r-value (S/L); form percentage of chromosome (F%: S/∑CL × 100); centromeric index (CI: S/CL) and relative length of chromosome (RL%: CL/∑CL × 100) were measured, in three replicates, using Ideokar 1.2 software. Various symmetrical indices such as intra-chromosomal (A1) and inter-chromosomal (A2) asymmetry indices (Zarco, Reference Zarco1986), Stebbins category based on a proportion of chromosomes with arm ratio <2:1 and ratio largest/smallest chromosomes (Stebbins, Reference Stebbins1971) and total form percentage (TF%: ∑S/∑CL × 100) (Huziwara, Reference Huziwara1962) were calculated. Karyotypic formulas were determined based on centromere position and Levan's category (Levan et al., Reference Levan, Fredg and Sandber1964).
Figure 1. Distribution of sampling sites within Iranian provinces.
Based on a completely randomized design, nested model analysis was used to compare populations and chromosomes nested within populations. Plant populations were classified using Duncan multiple range test performed with SAS 9.4 software. Cluster analysis was conducted using the Ward method with JMP 13.2.0 software based on chromosome measures and karyotypic values.
Results
As presented in Fig. 2, the mitotic chromosome number revealed that all plant populations were diploid with 2n = 38 chromosomes. Data analysis results indicated that, except for RL% and F%, other chromosomal parameters including chromosome dimensions, arm ratios and centromeric index significantly differed among the studied plant populations (P ⩽ 0.01) (Table 1). Chromosome lengths varied from 0.69 to 3.38 μm in the studied populations (Table 3). The lowest and highest grand means of chromosome lengths were 1 μm in Kerman and 1.59 μm in Semnan plant populations, respectively (Table 2). The minimum values for the total haploid complement length were observed in Kerman and Golestan plant populations (approximately 8.2 μm); on the other hand, the maximum value of the complement length was found in plant populations collected from Semnan and Gilan provinces (approximately 12 μm) (Table 3). Additionally, satellites were observed on short arms of one pair of chromosomes of three studied plant populations (Fig. 2).
Figure 2. Mitotic chromosomes of different plant populations of P. euphratica (arrows show satellites and scale bar = 10 μm).
Table 1. Mean squares resulted from nested model analysis of variance of chromosome traits of P. euphratica plant populations
L, long arm; S, short arm; CL, chromosome length; AR, L/S; r-value, S/L; RL%, relative length of chromosome; F%, form percentage of chromosome; CI, centromeric index.
**Significant difference at the 1% level; *significant difference at the 5% level; ns, no significant difference.
Table 3. Karyotypic formula and symmetry indices in studied plant populations of P. euphratica
KF, karyotypic formula; HCL, total chromosome length of the haploid complement; A1, intra-chromosomal asymmetry index; A2, inter-chromosomal asymmetry index; TF%, total form percentage; sat, satellite; m, metacentric; sm, submetacentric.
Table 2. Mean values of chromosomal and karyological traits in the studied populations of P. euphratica
L, long arm; S, short arm; CLM, grand mean of chromosome length; AR, L/S; r-Value, S/L; RL%, relative length of chromosome; F%, form percentage of chromosome; CI, centromeric index.
Common letters in each column indicate no significant difference between the populations at the 5% level.
While most chromosomes of the studied species were observed to be metacentric, variations in karyotype formula and characteristics were evident across different regions. Semnan province exhibited an asymmetrical karyotype with 24 metacentric and 14 sub-metacentric chromosomes, whereas the most symmetrical karyotypes were observed on the plant populations collected from Isfahan (38 m), Tehran (38 m), Khuzestan-Gotvand (38 m + 2 sat) and Gilan (38 m + 2 sat) provinces (Table 3).
According to the Stebbins asymmetry index, populations were classified into 1A and 2B classes. In such cases, the intra-chromosomal asymmetry index (A1) and the other indices are utilized to uncover a few differences within the studied samples. The Gotvand population in Khuzestan province exhibited the most symmetrical karyotype based on the smallest A1 index value (A1 = 0.177) and the highest value of total form percentage (TF% = 44.537). Conversely, the plant population collected from Semnan province displayed an asymmetrical karyotype (A1 = 0.299 and TF% = 40.192) (Table 3). Furthermore, based on the A1 and TF% indices, the 1B karyotype (Golestan) demonstrated more asymmetry compared to the 2B karyotypes (Hamidiyeh, Sarakhs and Kerman) (Table 3). Based on cluster analysis, the populations were classified into three groups. Regarding the results of cluster analysis, plant populations located in the same cluster are expected to be more similar than plant populations located in other clusters (Fig. 3).
Figure 3. Classification of 10 populations of P. euphratica based on chromosomal and karyological parameters. (The horizontal line in the lower panel shows variation changes between the groups, with several breaking points, formed by the software. One of the breaking points suggested by the software is to be used to divide the clusters (vertical black line in the lower panel). Based on other factors, such as origins and karyotype characteristics of the plant populations, the researcher may choose other breaking points to divide the clusters. We chose the point specified by the red dotted line to divide the plant population into three clusters.)
Discussion
This research and previous studies confirmed that P. euphratica species with 2n = 38 chromosomes, maintain a consistent chromosome number (Chen et al., Reference Chen, Zhang, Li, Han, Song and Qi2005; Shou-Gong et al., Reference Shou-Gong, Cheng-Bi, Su-Ying, Xiu-Lan, Jian-Zhong, Yu-Quan, Wen-Qin, Rui-Yang and Li-Wang2005; Xin et al., Reference Xin, Zhang, Wu, Zhang, Zhang, Xi and Jiang2020). Generally, in the Populus genus, diploidy is the most common ploidy level (Anamthawat-Jónsson and Sigurdsson, Reference Anamthawat-Jónsson and Sigurdsson1998; Shou-Gong et al., Reference Shou-Gong, Cheng-Bi, Su-Ying, Xiu-Lan, Jian-Zhong, Yu-Quan, Wen-Qin, Rui-Yang and Li-Wang2005), and observing other ploidy levels in nature is rare. However, in several poplar species such as Populus nigra, P. tremula, P. tomentosa, P. canadensis, etc. in China, Canada and Sweden, alongside diploid populations, triploid clones and hybrids have also been observed and reported (Peto, Reference Peto1938; Johnsson, Reference Johnsson1940; Shou-Gong et al., Reference Shou-Gong, Cheng-Bi, Su-Ying, Xiu-Lan, Jian-Zhong, Yu-Quan, Wen-Qin, Rui-Yang and Li-Wang2005). Also, besides diploidy, tetraploidy has been found in Populus balsamifera (Chen et al., Reference Chen, Zhang, Li, Han, Song and Qi2005). Additionally, aneuploidy has been reported in some varieties of P. alba (http://www.tropicos.org/Project/IPCN). On the other hand, the type of chromosomes of P. euphratica species revealed that most chromosomes were metacentric (m) and sub-metacentric (sm), the same as other Populus species. However, sub-telocentric (st) type has been reported in some species, such as Populus caspica, P. alba and P. tremula (Johnsson, Reference Johnsson1940). Meanwhile, one pair of satellites on short arms of sub-metacentric or sub-telocentric chromosomes was observed for P. euphratica species similar to other species in the Populus genus (Kim et al., Reference Kim, Kwon, Kang, Yoem, Kim, Kim and Kang2020).
Although the number of chromosomes often acts as the primary constraint on karyotype evolution, in closely related species with the same chromosome count, chromosome rearrangements, such as inter-chromosomal translocations and inversions, are typically the main forces behind karyotype evolution. Therefore, it appears that the differences between the species in Populus genus are related to changes in chromosome structure rather than the number of chromosomes.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping has shown that inter-chromosomal rearrangements are not readily detectable between five Populus species in five different sections. This suggests that the karyotypes of the species remain structurally conserved and also recommended that structural rearrangements in the studied species are likely to be included in chromosomal sections of sub-megabase size (Xin et al., Reference Xin, Zhang, Wu, Zhang, Zhang, Xi and Jiang2020).
DNA content and natural mutations like single-nucleotide substitutions contribute to species distinctions. Variations in nuclear DNA content, indicate potential genomic size differences and gene dosage variations that can lead to diverse expression profiles and traits in different Populus species (Greilhuber et al., Reference Greilhuber, Doležel, Lysák and Bennett2005; Wang et al., Reference Wang, Du, Dayanandan, Wang, Zeng and Zhang2014; Chase et al., Reference Chase, Christenhusz, Fay, Byng, Judd, Soltis, Mabberley, Sennikov, Soltis and Stevens2016; Zhang et al., Reference Zhang, Zeng and Liu2021).
In this study, significant differences in arm ratios and centromeric index within natural populations are evidence of inversions, possibly driven by a high ratio of crossing-over. Inversions can result in chromosomes with deleted or duplicated segments, potentially leading to structural rearrangements that may influence the reproductive fitness of individuals within the studied populations by abortion of pollen and ovules (Singh, Reference Singh2017). Also, research has demonstrated that variations in size and structure of chromosomes can impact the intensity of crossover interference. Notably, in P. euphratica species, a high degree of crossover interference has been detected, posited as instrumental for the species' adaptation and reproductive success in challenging saline habitats (Wang et al., Reference Wang, Jiang, Ye, Zhu and Wu2019). It is also reported that in P. euphratica, inversions in small segments of the sex-linked regions, by inducing hyper-methylation, lead to the formation of male plants and inversions contribute to the sexual differentiation observed in the species (Zhang et al., Reference Zhang, Wu, Ma, Zhai, Han, Jiang, Liu, Xu, Jiao and Li2022).
Current research identified clear asymmetrical differences within P. euphratica species using the A1 index. Consequently, regarding the A1 index, populations categorized as Stebbins's classification types of 1A and 1B exhibited more asymmetry than those classified as 1B and 2B, respectively, aligning with previous findings by Zarco (Reference Zarco1986).
Significant karyotypic differences between the studied populations showed that there is a high potential for adaptation of the studied species to different climatic and geographical conditions. Also, it seems that chromosomal structural rearrangements are responsible for the species' adaptive mechanisms and evolutionary history.
Acknowledgements
The authors express their gratitude to the authorities of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands of Iran for providing the required facilities for this research.
