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Metabolomic differences between invasive alien plants from native and invaded habitats
Sarah A Skubel1, Xiaoyang Su2, Alexander Poulev1
1Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
Scientific Reports
|June 18, 2020
Summary
Invasive alien species (IAS) show greater phytochemical diversity and distinct metabolomic profiles compared to native populations. This study highlights how metabolomics can reveal invasion mechanisms and aid in species identification.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Metabolomics
- Invasive Species Biology
Background:
- Globalization drives the spread of invasive alien species (IAS), threatening ecosystem stability.
- Understanding the biochemical differences between native and invasive plant populations is crucial for managing invasions.
- Metabolomic profiling offers insights into plant adaptation and ecological success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the metabolomic profiles of three invasive alien species (Chromolaena odorata, Datura stramonium, Xanthium strumarium) between their native (USA) and invasive (South Africa) habitats.
- To investigate the role of phytochemical diversity in the success of invasive species.
- To evaluate the utility of RApid Metabolome Extraction and Storage (RAMES) technology and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) in distinguishing populations.
Main Methods:
- Metabolomic samples were collected using RApid Metabolome Extraction and Storage (RAMES) technology.
- Phytochemicals were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS).
- Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) was employed to analyze metabolomic data and differentiate populations.
Main Results:
- Invasive populations of all three studied IAS species exhibited higher phytochemical diversity than their native counterparts.
- Metabolomic profiles of invasive populations were statistically distinguishable from native populations.
- PLS-DA successfully separated species, native vs. invasive populations, and even some populations within the same continent.
Conclusions:
- Metabolomic differences and increased phytochemical diversity may contribute to the successful invasion and adaptive evolution of IAS.
- RAMES technology coupled with PLS-DA is a powerful tool for analyzing plant metabolomes and potentially identifying species and populations.
- This approach provides valuable data for understanding invasion ecology and developing management strategies.
