1
|
Yang Y, Yang Z, Ferguson DK, Shong J. An integrative view on the systematic position of the cupressophyte Cephalotaxus. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10273. [PMID: 37424937 PMCID: PMC10323223 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
We made an in-depth review of historical studies of the cupressophyte conifer genus Cephalotaxus Siebold & Zucc. with an emphasis on its systematic position. We suggest that the systematic position of the genus is better understood using an integrative approach, so the evolution of phenetic characters is discussed within the context of recent phylogenomics. We propose that the genus should be classified as a separate family Cephalotaxaceae belonging to the clade consisting of Cupressaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, and Taxaceae; the family Cephalotaxaceae is sister to the Taxaceae but not nested within the Taxaceae and is characterized by a unique set of characters including morphology, anatomy, embryology, and chemistry. The family Cephalotaxaceae shows transitional characters between the Cupressaceae and the Taxaceae; the family possesses female cones with a primary cone axis bearing 5-8 pairs of decussate bracts, which is similar to the typical female cones of the Cupressaceae, on the one hand, and may have given rise to the reduced female cone of the Taxaceae with one terminal ovule partially or completely enclosed in a fleshy aril. In parallel, the compound male cone of the Cephalotaxaceae evolved into the seemingly "simple" male cones of the Taxaceae by means of reduction, elimination, and fusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yang
- Co‐Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the EnvironmentNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhi Yang
- Co‐Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the EnvironmentNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingChina
| | | | - Jia‐Yi Shong
- Co‐Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the EnvironmentNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingChina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Khan R, Hill RS, Dörken VM, Biffin E. Detailed seed cone morpho-anatomy of the Prumnopityoid clade: an insight into the origin and evolution of Podocarpaceae seed cones. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2022; 130:637-655. [PMID: 35906916 PMCID: PMC9670759 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcac097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Seed cone traits are significant for understanding the evolutionary history of conifers. Podocarpaceae has fleshy cones with a distinct morphology compared with other conifers. However, we have a poor understanding of the seed cone morphology of the Prumnopityoid clade and within Podocarpaceae. This study presents detailed seed cone morpho-anatomy and the evolution of fleshy structures traits in the Prumnopityoid clade. METHODS We investigated the detailed seed cone morpho-anatomy of selected species from the nine genera using the histological method. The evolution of morpho-anatomical traits was assessed using ancestral state reconstruction methods. KEY RESULTS The Prumnopityoid clade has evolved fleshy seed cones using different functional structures (e.g. aril, epimatium, bracts or receptaculum) and fleshiness is an ancestral trait in the clade. An epimatium is present in all genera except Phyllocladus, but with different structural morphologies (e.g. a fleshy asymmetrical cup-like epimatium or an epimatium that is fused with the integument, forming a fleshy sarcotesta-like seed coat). In all species with fleshy sarcotesta-like seed coats, the endotesta is hard and woody, forming a sclerotesta-like structure and the epimatium and exotesta are fused, forming a fleshy sarcotesta-like structure. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights that the Prumnopityoid clade has an amazing diversity of structures and complex evolutionary patterns. Fleshiness is an ancestral trait of the clade and has been achieved via diverse evolutionary pathways and structures. This clade has four distinct seed cone types, i.e. drupe-like, receptaculate, arilloid and dacrydioid cones, based on morpho-anatomical structures and traits. The macrofossil record also demonstrates the presence of several structures and traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert S Hill
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Veit M Dörken
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ed Biffin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang Y, Ferguson DK, Liu B, Mao KS, Gao LM, Zhang SZ, Wan T, Rushforth K, Zhang ZX. Recent advances on phylogenomics of gymnosperms and a new classification. PLANT DIVERSITY 2022; 44:340-350. [PMID: 35967253 PMCID: PMC9363647 DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Living gymnosperms comprise four major groups: cycads, Ginkgo, conifers, and gnetophytes. Relationships among/within these lineages have not been fully resolved. Next generation sequencing has made available a large number of sequences, including both plastomes and single-copy nuclear genes, for reconstruction of solid phylogenetic trees. Recent advances in gymnosperm phylogenomic studies have updated our knowledge of gymnosperm systematics. Here, we review major advances of gymnosperm phylogeny over the past 10 years and propose an updated classification of extant gymnosperms. This new classification includes three classes (Cycadopsida, Ginkgoopsida, and Pinopsida), five subclasses (Cycadidae, Ginkgoidae, Cupressidae, Pinidae, and Gnetidae), eight orders (Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Araucariales, Cupressales, Pinales, Ephedrales, Gnetales, and Welwitschiales), 13 families, and 86 genera. We also described six new tribes including Acmopyleae Y. Yang, Austrocedreae Y. Yang, Chamaecyparideae Y. Yang, Microcachrydeae Y. Yang, Papuacedreae Y. Yang, and Prumnopityeae Y. Yang, and made 27 new combinations in the genus Sabina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | | | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093, China
- Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Kang-Shan Mao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Lian-Ming Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
- Lijiang Forest Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lijiang 674100, China
| | - Shou-Zhou Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Southern Subtropical Plant Diversity, FairyLake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tao Wan
- Key Laboratory of Southern Subtropical Plant Diversity, FairyLake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Zhi-Xiang Zhang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li H, Tang Y, Liang KY, Zang Y, Osman EEA, Jin ZX, Li J, Xiong J, Li J, Hu JF. Phytochemical and biological studies on rare and endangered plants endemic to China. Part XXII. Structurally diverse diterpenoids from the leaves and twigs of the endangered conifer Torreya jackii and their bioactivities. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 198:113161. [PMID: 35283166 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A phytochemical investigation on the MeOH extract of the leaves and twigs of the endangered conifer Torreya jackii Chun led to the isolation and characterization of 21 structurally diverse diterpenoids. Among them, six are previously undescribed, including four abietane-type (torreyins A-D, resp.) and two labdane-type diterpenoids (torreyins E and F). Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by a combination of spectroscopic methods, calculated/experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. In particular, torreyins A-C are rare 11,12-seco-abietane type diterpenoids possessing a dilactone moiety, and their biosynthetic pathway starting from a co-occurring abietane derivative (i.e., cyrtophyllone B) was briefly proposed. Among the isolates, 7-oxo-dehydroabietic acid and 15-methoxy-7,13-abietadien-18-oic acid showed considerable inhibitory effects against acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B (PTP1B), with IC50 values of 3.1 and 6.8 μM, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Institute of Natural Medicine and Health Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Zhejiang, 318000, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China
| | - Yu Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China
| | - Kai-Yuan Liang
- Institute of Natural Medicine and Health Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Zhejiang, 318000, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China
| | - Yi Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201203, PR China
| | - Ezzat E A Osman
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China; Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, P. O. Box 30 Imbaba, Giza, 12411, Egypt
| | - Ze-Xin Jin
- Institute of Natural Medicine and Health Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Zhejiang, 318000, PR China
| | - Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, 201203, PR China
| | - Juan Xiong
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China.
| | - Junmin Li
- Institute of Natural Medicine and Health Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Zhejiang, 318000, PR China.
| | - Jin-Feng Hu
- Institute of Natural Medicine and Health Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Zhejiang, 318000, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zumajo-Cardona C, Ambrose BA. Fleshy or dry: transcriptome analyses reveal the genetic mechanisms underlying bract development in Ephedra. EvoDevo 2022; 13:10. [PMID: 35477429 PMCID: PMC9047513 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-022-00195-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gnetales have a key phylogenetic position in the evolution of seed plants. Among the Gnetales, there is an extraordinary morphological diversity of seeds, the genus Ephedra, in particular, exhibits fleshy, coriaceous or winged (dry) seeds. Despite this striking diversity, its underlying genetic mechanisms remain poorly understood due to the limited studies in gymnosperms. Expanding the genomic and developmental data from gymnosperms contributes to a better understanding of seed evolution and development. RESULTS We performed transcriptome analyses on different plant tissues of two Ephedra species with different seed morphologies. Anatomical observations in early developing ovules, show that differences in the seed morphologies are established early in their development. The transcriptomic analyses in dry-seeded Ephedra californica and fleshy-seeded Ephedra antisyphilitica, allowed us to identify the major differences between the differentially expressed genes in these species. We detected several genes known to be involved in fruit ripening as upregulated in the fleshy seed of Ephedra antisyphilitica. CONCLUSIONS This study allowed us to determine the differentially expressed genes involved in seed development of two Ephedra species. Furthermore, the results of this study of seeds with the enigmatic morphology in Ephedra californica and Ephedra antisyphilitica, allowed us to corroborate the hypothesis which suggest that the extra envelopes covering the seeds of Gnetales are not genetically similar to integument. Our results highlight the importance of carrying out studies on less explored species such as gymnosperms, to gain a better understanding of the evolutionary history of plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Zumajo-Cardona
- New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, USA.,The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Barbara A Ambrose
- New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, USA. .,The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Khan R, Hill RS. Morpho-anatomical affinities and evolutionary relationships of three paleoendemic podocarp genera based on seed cone traits. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2021; 128:887-902. [PMID: 34472589 PMCID: PMC8577210 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The three relict genera Pherosphaera, Microcachrys and Saxegothaea in Podocarpaceae produce quite distinct seed cone types in comparison with other genera and do not form a clade along with Acmopyle. The detailed seed cone morpho-anatomy of these three relict genera and affinities with other podocarps are poorly known. This study aims to understand the seed cone morpho-anatomy and affinities among these three disjunct relict genera and with other podocarps. METHODS We comparatively analysed the seed cone morpho-anatomical traits of the three podocarps genera and used ancestral state reconstruction to understand the evolution of these traits. KEY RESULTS We described the seed cone morpho-anatomical structures of the three relict genera in detail. The three genera produce aggregated multiovulate cones. Both Microcachrys and Saxegothaea have an asymmetrical free cup-like epimatium. Both species of Pherosphaera lack an epimatium. The ancestral state reconstruction implies that the presence of an epimatium is an ancestral trait in podocarps and is independently lost in Pherosphaera and Phyllocladus. The seed cones are fleshy in Microcachrys and non-fleshy in Saxegothaea and Pherosphaera. The seed cone macrofossils of both extinct and living podocarps also show the presence of an epimatium and fleshiness in podocarps. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, the morpho-anatomy suggests that Pherosphaera, Microcachrys and Saxegothaea present affinities with each other and other podocarps, but the reconstruction of the ancestral seed cone in Podcarpaceae is quite complex due to multiple convergent evolutions of several structures. These structures (e.g. epimatium, aril and receptaculum) are of low taxonomic value but of great evolutionary and ecological significance, and are responsive adaptations to ever-changing environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raees Khan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Robert S Hill
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu L, Wang Z, Su Y, Wang T. Population transcriptomic sequencing reveals allopatric divergence and local adaptation in Pseudotaxus chienii (Taxaceae). BMC Genomics 2021; 22:388. [PMID: 34039278 PMCID: PMC8157689 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07682-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating the effects of geography and selection on genetic variation is critical for understanding the relative importance of adaptation in driving differentiation and identifying the environmental factors underlying its occurrence. Adaptive genetic variation is common in tree species, especially widely distributed long-lived species. Pseudotaxus chienii can occupy diverse habitats with environmental heterogeneity and thus provides an ideal material for investigating the process of population adaptive evolution. Here, we characterize genetic and expression variation patterns and investigate adaptive genetic variation in P. chienii populations. RESULTS We generated population transcriptome data and identified 13,545 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 5037 unigenes across 108 individuals from 10 populations. We observed lower nucleotide diversity (π = 0.000701) among the 10 populations than observed in other gymnosperms. Significant negative correlations between expression diversity and nucleotide diversity in eight populations suggest that when the species adapts to the surrounding environment, gene expression and nucleotide diversity have a reciprocal relationship. Genetic structure analyses indicated that each distribution region contains a distinct genetic group, with high genetic differentiation among them due to geographical isolation and local adaptation. We used FST outlier, redundancy analysis, and latent factor mixed model methods to detect molecular signatures of local adaptation. We identified 244 associations between 164 outlier SNPs and 17 environmental variables. The mean temperature of the coldest quarter, soil Fe and Cu contents, precipitation of the driest month, and altitude were identified as the most important determinants of adaptive genetic variation. Most candidate unigenes with outlier signatures were related to abiotic and biotic stress responses, and the monoterpenoid biosynthesis and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis KEGG pathways were significantly enriched in certain populations and deserve further attention in other long-lived trees. CONCLUSIONS Despite the strong population structure in P. chienii, genomic data revealed signatures of divergent selection associated with environmental variables. Our research provides SNPs, candidate unigenes, and biological pathways related to environmental variables to facilitate elucidation of the genetic variation in P. chienii in relation to environmental adaptation. Our study provides a promising tool for population genomic analyses and insights into the molecular basis of local adaptation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingjuan Su
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Research Institute of Sun Yat-sen University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Ting Wang
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yu C, Zhang C, Xu X, Huang J, Chen Y, Luo X, Wang H, Shen C. Omic analysis of the endangered Taxaceae species Pseudotaxus chienii revealed the differences in taxol biosynthesis pathway between Pseudotaxus and Taxus yunnanensis trees. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:104. [PMID: 33622251 PMCID: PMC7903646 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-02883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taxol is an efficient anticancer drug accumulated in Taxus species. Pseudotaxus chienii is an important member of Taxaceae, however, the level of six taxoids in P. chienii is largely unknown. RESULTS High accumulation of 10-DAB, taxol, and 7-E-PTX suggested that P. chienii is a good taxol-yielding species for large-scale cultivation. By the omics approaches, a total of 3,387 metabolites and 61,146 unigenes were detected and annotated. Compared with a representative Taxus tree (Taxus yunnanensis), most of the differentially accumulated metabolites and differential expressed genes were assigned into 10 primary and secondary metabolism pathways. Comparative analyses revealed the variations in the precursors and intermediate products of taxol biosynthesis between P. chienii and T. yunnanensis. Taxusin-like metabolites highly accumulated in P. chienii, suggesting a wider value of P. chienii in pharmaceutical industry. CONCLUSIONS In our study, the occurrence of taxoids in P. chienii was determined. The differential expression of key genes involved in the taxol biosynthesis pathway is the major cause of the differential accumulation of taxoids. Moreover, identification of a number of differentially expressed transcription factors provided more candidate regulators of taxol biosynthesis. Our study may help to reveal the differences between Pseudotaxus and Taxus trees, and promote resource utilization of the endangered and rarely studied P. chienii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunna Yu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
| | - Chengchao Zhang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
| | - Xinyun Xu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
| | - Jiefang Huang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
| | - Yueyue Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
| | - Xiujun Luo
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
| | - Huizhong Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
| | - Chenjia Shen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 310036 China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Di Stilio VS, Ickert-Bond SM. Ephedra as a gymnosperm evo-devo model lineage. Evol Dev 2021; 23:256-266. [PMID: 33503333 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Established model systems in the flowering plants have greatly advanced our understanding of plant developmental biology, facilitating in turn its investigation across diverse land plants. The reliance on a limited number of model organisms, however, constitutes a barrier for future progress in evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). In particular, a more thorough understanding of seed plant character evolution and of its genetic and developmental basis has been hampered in part by a lack of gymnosperm model systems, since most are trees with decades-long generation times. Guided by the premise that future model organisms should be selected based on their character diversity, rather than simply phylogenetic "position," we highlight biological questions of potential interest that can be addressed via comparative studies in Ephedra (Gnetales). In addition to having relatively small genomes and shorter generation times in comparison to most other gymnosperms, Ephedra are amenable to investigations on the evolution of the key reproductive seed plant innovations of pollination and seed dispersal, as well as on polyploidy, and adaptation to extreme environments.
Collapse
|
10
|
Rudall PJ. Evolution and patterning of the ovule in seed plants. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:943-960. [PMID: 33432779 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ovule and its developmental successor, the seed, together represent a highly characteristic feature of seed plants that has strongly enhanced the reproductive and dispersal potential of this diverse group of taxa. Ovules encompass multiple tissues that perform various roles within a highly constrained space, requiring a complex cascade of genes that generate localized cell proliferation and programmed cell death during different developmental stages. Many heritable morphological differences among lineages reflect relative displacement of these tissues, but others, such as the second (outer) integuments of angiosperms and Gnetales, represent novel and apparently profound and independent innovations. Recent studies, mostly on model taxa, have considerably enhanced our understanding of gene expression in the ovule. However, understanding its evolutionary history requires a comparative and phylogenetic approach that is problematic when comparing extant angiosperms not only with phylogenetically distant extant gymnosperms but also with taxa known only from fossils. This paper reviews ovule characters across a phylogenetically broad range of seed plants in a dynamic developmental context. It discusses both well-established and recent theories of ovule and seed evolution and highlights potential gaps in comparative data that will usefully enhance our understanding of evolutionary transitions and developmental mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula J Rudall
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rudall PJ. Colourful cones: how did flower colour first evolve? JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:759-767. [PMID: 31714579 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Angiosperms that are biotically pollinated typically produce flowers with bright and contrasting colours that help to attract pollinators and hence contribute to the reproductive success of the species. This colourful array contrasts with the much less multicoloured reproductive structures of the four living gymnosperm lineages, which are mostly wind pollinated, though cycads and Gnetales are predominantly pollinated by insects that feed on surface fluids from the pollination drops. This review examines the possible evolutionary pathways and cryptic clues for flower colour in both living and fossil seed plants. It investigates how the ancestral flowering plants could have overcome the inevitable trade-off that exists between attracting pollinators and minimizing herbivory, and explores the possible evolutionary and biological inferences from the colours that occur in some living gymnosperms. The red colours present in the seed-cone bracts of some living conifers result from accumulation of anthocyanin pigments; their likely primary function is to help protect the growing plant tissues under particular environmental conditions. Thus, the visual cue provided by colour in flower petals could have first evolved as a secondary effect, probably post-dating the evolution of bee colour vision but occurring before the subsequent functional accumulation of a range of different flower pigments.
Collapse
|