Aquatic plant Myriophyllum spicatum displays contrasting morphological, photosynthetic, and transcriptomic responses between its aquatic and terrestrial morphotypes.

Abstract

Myriophyllum spicatum, a semi-aquatic plant, can develop heterophylly by forming both submerged and aerial leaves to adapt to water level variations in its habitat. The aerial leaves exhibit shorter and fewer lobes, but thicker cuticle and developed stomata than submerged leaves. The heterophylly exhibited by M. spicatum could be controlled by hormones including abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, and Jasmonic acid, as their levels were consistently higher in aerial leaves than in submerged leaves. Genes responsible for the formation of cuticle and stomata exhibited elevated expression in the aerial leaves, offering a molecular explanation for their structural adaptations to terrestrial environment. Moreover, aerial leaves exhibited greater resistance to intense light, while submerged leaves demonstrated a pronounced capacity of utilizing HCO₃^- for photosynthesis. Differential gene expression patterns pertaining to photosynthesis, carotenoid production, and HCO₃^- utilization elucidated the molecular mechanisms driving M. spicatum's photosynthetic adaptations to aquatic and terrestrial environment. In conclusion, the ability of M. spicatum to withstand changing water levels can be linked to its adaptable phenotype and the genetic characteristics inherited from its terrestrial ancestors, both of which are governed by hormonal regulation. These features may allow M. spicatum to outcompete other macrophytes that are more sensitive to water level fluctuations in their growing surroundings.