The rise of baobab trees in Madagascar

Baobab trees (genus Adansonia) attract attention for their striking form, ecological interactions and cultural importance. The authors sequenced genomes for all eight extant baobab species and, integrating genomic and ecological analyses, argue that Madagascar is the centre of origin for the extant lineages. Results reveal reticulate evolution involving introgression among species that contributed to present-day diversity. Population histories of Malagasy baobabs appear influenced by interspecific competition and the island’s geological history, including sea-level changes. The study highlights conservation concerns, particularly for Adansonia suarezensis and A. grandidieri, and recommends intensive monitoring of A. za due to its potential negative impact on the critically endangered A. perrieri.

Jun-Nan Wan, Sheng-Wei Wang, Andrew R. Leitch, Ilia J. Leitch, Jian-Bo Jian, Zhang-Yan Wu, Hai-Ping Xin, Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, Guy Eric Onjalalaina, Robert Wahiti Gituru, Can Dai, Geoffrey Mwachala, Ming-Zhou Bai, Chen-Xi Zhao, Hong-Qi Wang, Sheng-Lan Du, Neng Wei, Guang-Wan Hu, Si-Chong Chen, Xiao-Ya Chen, Tao Wan, Qing-Feng Wang