ИСТИНА

Heracleum sosnowskyi and related species (H. mantegazzianum, H. persicum), collectively called giant hogweeds, are invasive plants that pose threat to human health and biodiversity. The study of their genetic characteristics is important for understanding the phenomenon of invasiveness. Here we analyzed genetic diversity of H. sosnowskyi and related species from different territories within Russia and neighboring countries. More than 160 herbarium (LE, MW, YALT) samples ranging in the year of collection from 1836 to 2022 as well as recent volunteer-collected samples were taken for the analysis. They cover all major regions within the primary (native) and secondary (introduced) areas. Using low-coverage whole genome sequencing we analyzed the variability of the plastid genome and nuclear ribosomal operon; for a smaller subset of plants, we performed a deeper sequencing that allowed to infer the variability on single copy genomic regions. The results show that: 1) neither rRNA, nor plastid genome data allow to distinguish between H. sosnowskyi and 2 species: H. mantegazzianum, considered as separate species invasive in western Europe, and H. pubescens, considered as Crimean endemic; 2) the genetic diversity of H. sosnowskyi does not show a decrease in the secondary area; this is the result of multiple introductions; 3) patterns associated with the role of first introduction centers (Komarov Botanical Institute and Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden) were visible in the territorial distribution of groups; 4) events of hybridization and/or introgression of plastids could be observed in the evolution of the genus Heracleum. Supported by RSF grant 21-74-20145.