Cryptic CAM photosynthesis in Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia, Y. jaegeriana)

Joshua trees are an iconic species of the Mojave Desert, but face threats from changes to the climate and land use. Here we uncover cryptic Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM photosynthesis) in Joshua trees via a common garden, and use genomic data to understand other metabolic differences between populations and the two species of Joshua tree. Our Dryad data package includes RNA sequencing data from a common garden experiment on Joshua tree species (Yucca brevifolia and Yucca jaegeriana). Samples were taken in 2022 from just a single garden and were combined with ecophysiological measurements and metabolomics. Our results indicate low level CAM activity in all populations of Joshua tree, as well as strong differentiation in aspects of carbon metabolism between the two species.
, , , # Cryptic CAM photosynthesis in Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia, Y. jaegeriana)

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.7pvmcvf3d](10.5061/dryad.7pvmcvf3d)

## Description of the data and file structure

To understand the presence, variability, and strength of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis, we collected RNA-sequencing data in 2022 from both Joshua tree species (*Yucca brevifolia, Yucca jaegeriana*) from plants in a common garden. Data package includes only computed read count and transcript per million (TPM) values and the reference used for read mapping of samples collected in 2022. The 2021 data is available as raw reads on SRA. For raw reads of both 2021 and 2022 collections, please see SRA BioProject PRJNA1132710.

### Files and variables

#### File: 2024-04-17_counts_raw.txt

**Description:** Raw count data as computed by sleuth from 2022 samples mapped to the primary transcript reference file.

##### Variables

* Columns: Library ID. See \"full_RNA_metadata_dryad.csv\" for in...,