Multilocus sequence analysis of nectar pseudomonads reveals high genetic diversity and contrasting recombination patterns

PLoS One. 2013 Oct 8;8(10):e75797. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075797. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

The genetic and evolutionary relationships among floral nectar-dwelling Pseudomonas 'sensu stricto' isolates associated to South African and Mediterranean plants were investigated by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of four core housekeeping genes (rrs, gyrB, rpoB and rpoD). A total of 35 different sequence types were found for the 38 nectar bacterial isolates characterised. Phylogenetic analyses resulted in the identification of three main clades [nectar groups (NGs) 1, 2 and 3] of nectar pseudomonads, which were closely related to five intrageneric groups: Pseudomonas oryzihabitans (NG 1); P. fluorescens, P. lutea and P. syringae (NG 2); and P. rhizosphaerae (NG 3). Linkage disequilibrium analysis pointed to a mostly clonal population structure, even when the analysis was restricted to isolates from the same floristic region or belonging to the same NG. Nevertheless, signatures of recombination were observed for NG 3, which exclusively included isolates retrieved from the floral nectar of insect-pollinated Mediterranean plants. In contrast, the other two NGs comprised both South African and Mediterranean isolates. Analyses relating diversification to floristic region and pollinator type revealed that there has been more unique evolution of the nectar pseudomonads within the Mediterranean region than would be expected by chance. This is the first work analysing the sequence of multiple loci to reveal geno- and ecotypes of nectar bacteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Genetic Variation*
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Multilocus Sequence Typing
  • Plant Nectar*
  • Plants / microbiology*
  • Pseudomonas / genetics*
  • Pseudomonas / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Plant Nectar

Grants and funding

This work was supported by funds from Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía (Proyecto de Excelencia P09-RNM- 4517 to C.M.H.), and Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Juan de la Cierva Program to C.dV.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.