Whole-genome sequencing of the invasive golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata from Asia reveals rapid expansion and adaptive evolution.

Abstract

Pomacea canaliculata, an invasive species native to South America, is recognized for its broad geographic distribution and adaptability to a variety of ecological conditions. The details concerning the evolution and adaptation of P. canaliculate remain unclear due to a lack of whole-genome resequencing data. We examined 173 P. canaliculata genomes representing 17 geographic populations in East and Southeast Asia. Interestingly, P. canaliculata showed a higher level of genetic diversity than other mollusks, and our analysis suggested that the dispersal of P. canaliculata could have been driven by climate changes and human activities. Notably, we identified a set of genes associated with low temperature adaptation, including Csde1, a cold shock protein coding gene. Further RNA sequencing analysis and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction experiments demonstrated the gene's dynamic pattern and biological functions during cold exposure. Moreover, both positive selection and balancing selection are likely to have contributed to the rapid environmental adaptation of P. canaliculata populations. In particular, genes associated with energy metabolism and stress response were undergoing positive selection, while a large number of immune-related genes showed strong signatures of balancing selection. Our study has advanced our understanding of the evolution of P. canaliculata and has provided a valuable resource concerning an invasive species.