title: Reassessment of the Genome Size in Elaeis guineensis and Elaeis oleifera, and Its Interspecific Hybrid.
abstract: Aiming at generating a comprehensive genomic database on Elaeis spp., our group is leading several R&D initiatives with Elaeis guineensis (African oil palm) and Elaeis oleifera (American oil palm), including the whole-genome sequencing of the last. Genome size estimates currently available for this genus are controversial, as they indicate that American oil palm genome is about half the size of the African oil palm genome and that the genome of the interspecific hybrid is bigger than both the parental species genomes. We estimated the genome size of three E. guineensis genotypes, five E. oleifera genotypes, and two interspecific hybrids genotypes. On average, the genome size of E. guineensis is 4.32 ± 0.173 pg, while that of E. oleifera is 4.43 ± 0.018 pg. This indicates that both genomes are similar in size, even though E. oleifera is in fact bigger. As expected, the hybrid genome size is around the average of the two genomes, 4.40 ± 0.016 pg. Additionally, we demonstrate that both species present around 38% of GC content. As our results contradict the currently available data on Elaeis spp. genome sizes, we propose that the actual genome size of the Elaeis species is around 4 pg and that American oil palm possesses a larger genome than African oil palm.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF, Brazil. ; Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Julceia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camillo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: André P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Formighieri
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Plant Genetics, Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Ls
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Plant Genetics, Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Capdeville
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jean K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: de A Mattos
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Embrapa Agroenergy, Brasília, DF, Brazil. ; Graduate Program in Plant Biotechnology, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manoel T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Souza
keywords: African oil palm; American oil palm; DNA sequencing; FCM—flow cytometry; GC content