GENOMIC INSIGHTS INTO SAUDI ARABIAN PLANT BIODIVERSITY: PROGRESS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Saudi Arabia, despite its arid environment, harbors a rich plant diversity with approximately 2,253 species. However, the conservation of this biodiversity faces significant challenges due to habitat loss, climate change, and limited genomic data. This study provides a comprehensive survey of the current state of plant genomic research in Saudi Arabia, highlighting progress made and identifying key gaps in the literature. A survey of scientific databases identified 46 relevant studies published between 2010 and 2024, reflecting growing interest in the genomic analysis of Saudi plants. These studies cover nuclear, chloroplast, and/or mitochondrial genomes of 51 plant species from 19 families, with a predominant focus on medicinal plants collected from the western and southwestern regions. Among these, the Apocynaceae family, known for its medicinal species, is the most frequently represented in genomic research. Chloroplast genome data is the most prevalent, accounting for 75.4% of the genomes analyzed, underscoring its utility in taxonomic and phylogenomic analyses. Nuclear genome data, though less frequent (16.3%), has increased, particularly through initiatives like the KSA Native Genome Project. Mitochondrial genome data remains sporadic (8.1%), contributing to the understanding of gene transfers and genetic variation. While genomic research on Saudi plants is still limited, existing data provide essential insights for conservation, understanding plant adaptation, and guiding future research. This review underscores the need for expanded genomic studies, particularly nuclear genome sequencing, and greater focus on rare, endemic, and endangered plants to support biodiversity conservation and agricultural innovation in Saudi Arabia.