Articles tagged with Plant Evolution
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A new study found that distantly related carnivorous plants, including pitcher plants, share similar genetic changes associated with their ability to digest insects. The research suggests that the evolutionary routes to carnivory may be limited and that these plants have co-opted ancient proteins to create digestive enzymes.
Delicate fossil remains of tomatillos found in Patagonia, Argentina, show that the nightshade family existed 52 million years ago, far earlier than previously thought. The discovery provides a rare link between ancient and modern plants, challenging traditional views on plant evolution.
The ginkgo genome reveals extensive expansion of gene families for defensive mechanisms against pathogens and insects, as well as unique traits such as transposable elements. The sequence provides a genetic resource for studying early events in tree evolution and the history of demography and distribution.
A new international collaboration has reconstructed the tree of life for Rosaceae and found strong evidence for whole genome duplications contributing to fruit diversity. The study suggests that enlarged and fleshy fruits likely evolved through two distinct ways, resulting in a wide range of fruit types across the 3,000 known species.
Scientists have reclassified the Caesalpinia group, including Brazil's national tree Pau-brasil, into a unique genus called Paubrasilia. The study reveals that Pau-brasil represents a distinct evolutionary lineage, highlighting its cultural and historical importance.
The moth species Heliothis subflexa has a specialized diet of Physalis fruits, which provides it with direct and indirect protection through the presence of withanolides. These compounds increase larval growth and immune system activity while also protecting against bacterial infections caused by Bacillus thuringiensis.
A joint University of Adelaide-Shanghai Jiao Tong University study provides the first broad picture of pollen allergen evolution and possible functions. The researchers' findings may help with reducing or preventing allergic diseases like asthma and hay fever.
A University of British Columbia study finds that evolution accelerates the speed of plant migration in response to climate change. Plants that undergo evolution disperse seeds and migrate farther than their non-evolving counterparts, even in challenging conditions.
Researchers found that plants can only withstand a limited number of genetic changes before population collapse and extinction. The study challenges common thinking on plant adaptability and has significant implications for agriculture and horticulture in the face of rapid climate change.
A computer program developed by researchers can categorize leaves into large evolutionary categories, leading to improved fossil identification and a better understanding of flowering plant evolution. The method achieves a 72% accuracy rate over 19 leaf families compared to random chance.
A new study of wild tomato genetics reveals complex genetic mechanisms driving diversification of plant species, with potential applications for creating more resilient crop plants. The research identifies three major genetic strategies behind the tomato's ability to adapt to ecological change.
Researchers investigate how plants respond to environmental changes and geographical variation, shedding light on their potential for evolution and adaptability. The study aims to improve predictions of selective pressures and failures for wild plants through comparative studies and genetic analysis.
Researchers used cactus species to test whether regions variable across closely related species show predictable intraspecific variability. The study found that rate-heterogeneity poses a practical challenge for researchers, and screening steps are necessary to discover regions of the genome with sufficient variability.
Scientists have developed a technique to capture rapidly evolving intronic regions of the genome, increasing knowledge of evolution in difficult groups. The new method resolved evolutionary relationships between closely related Heuchera species, previously impossible to infer.
A study by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine researchers reveals that evolution can be highly predictable in terms of developing toxin resistance. Convergent evolution of two amino acid changes in a specific gene leads to the development of toxin resistance in various animals, including insects, reptiles, and mammals.
A recent study investigates multiple phylogenetic diversity metrics and discusses their role in preserving biodiversity. The study highlights the challenges of calculating these metrics due to data availability, but also notes that as more sequence data are generated, accurate calculations will become increasingly routine.
Researchers identified the crucial mutation that stripped away teosinte's hard casing, exposing the edible kernel. This genetic change allowed for the domestication of maize, leading to its widespread cultivation and impact on human societies.
A European-US consortium led by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia aims to understand the evolution of plant reproduction, including ancient mechanisms of gamete development and fertilization. The project will identify genes useful to agriculture, increasing crop yield and food security.
Researchers have obtained the first precise estimates of how often epigenetic marks appear or disappear in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The study found that epigenetic mutations are about 100,000 times more likely than DNA sequence mutations and nearly all are neutral, not affecting gene expression.
A recent study by University of Stirling scientist Dr. Mario Vallejo-Marin discovered a new species of monkeyflower, Mimulus peregrinus, which provides real-time insight into evolution. The species has evolved multiple times in different regions, challenging the conventional understanding of species formation.
A new open-source software program named MarkerMiner facilitates identification of genes for elucidating evolutionary relationships between flowering plants. The software helps researchers discover genes useful for inferring evolutionary patterns by comparing genes across superficially similar plants.
Researchers found that fragmented chloroplast DNA sequences, known as cpSSRs, are still widely used to study plant genetics. The number of studies using cpSSRs has doubled in the past decade.
A recent study by Cornell University research found that symbiotic plants develop nectar glands to attract and feed protective animals like ants, leading to increased diversity in plant species over time. This mutualistic relationship allows plants to allocate energy resources to new traits and adapt to new environments.
A team of international researchers used DNA sequences to reconstruct the evolution of plants, revealing new insights into their relationships and adaptations. The study, part of the One Thousand Plants initiative, generated millions of gene sequences from diverse plant species.
Scientists have identified a 'weakness' in the clover genome that biases species to evolve the same trait. In six related clover species, genetic deletions led to the development of a cyanide-less trait, suggesting constrained evolution.
A UCI-Wesleyan study found that caterpillars with varied diets are less camouflaged and easier prey for birds. This increased risk is offset by the benefits of reduced predation on plants that caterpillars with restricted diets consume.
Recent research emphasizes the significance of gene flow in plant populations, counteracting forces of mutation, genetic drift, and selection. Gene flow between populations can be surprisingly far-reaching, even among stationary individuals, with some studies detecting alleles from hundreds to thousands of meters away.
Researchers found that seed dormancy allows plants to adapt to their environment, resulting in increased species diversity. Plants with this ability are more likely to colonize new areas and thrive under changing conditions, a strategy that has been around since the earliest seeds.
Researchers discovered horn-like structures on milkweed pollinia sacs, believed to prevent entanglement with rival plant pollinia. These findings suggest that physical contact can influence mating success and promote the evolution of defensive and attack weaponry in plants.
A team of scientists has identified the key player in plant nectar production, revealing that plants rely on SWEET9 to transport sugars into extracellular areas where nectar is secreted. The discovery suggests that this process evolved early in the formation of flowering plants and may have increased genetic diversity.
Recent research on serpentine ecosystems sheds light on the mechanisms of adaptation, natural selection, and endemism. Kruckeberg's seminal paper (1951) has influenced subsequent research on local adaptation, evolutionary pathways, and climate-soil relationships.
The study reveals that enzymes involved in breaking down fatty acids evolved independently in both plants and animals, mirroring each other's development. This finding suggests that both groups faced similar challenges when dealing with ingested fatty acids from plants.
Multicellularity has evolved in at least 25 plant and animal lineages, with different developmental pathways and mechanisms. The critical point is that natural selection acts on functional traits, allowing for multiple evolutions of multicellular organisms via various cellular biology aspects.
The study identified three repeated evolutionary shifts: seasonal shedding of leaves, thinner water-conducting pathways, and avoiding cold seasons. Researchers used a comprehensive 'timetree' with 32,223 species to model the evolution of these traits and climate surroundings.
A new study suggests that many flowering plants, including crops, may not have the necessary traits to rapidly respond to human-induced climate change. Researchers used a large dated evolutionary tree of flowering plants to identify three repeated evolutionary shifts that allowed them to tolerate cold temperatures.
Researchers constructed an evolutionary tree of flowering plants and found that many species acquired characteristics to thrive in colder climates before encountering freezing conditions. Plants like birches and poplars developed narrower water transport cells to protect themselves from blockage during freezing and thawing.
The Amborella genome sequence reveals a 'genome doubling event' that occurred 200 million years ago, explaining the sudden proliferation of new flower species. The discovery provides insights into the genetic origins of important traits in food crops and has significant implications for crop improvement.
Researchers developed biodegradable nanomotors inspired by plant corkscrew structures for targeted drug delivery. The low-cost, plant-based microswimmers can efficiently navigate liquids with magnetic control.
Researchers will investigate how flowers use scent to attract pollinators and predators, driving the evolution of diverse plant species. The five-year project aims to understand the dynamics among plants, mutualists, and enemies to conserve biodiversity.
Researchers have uncovered tiny changes in plants' physiology that enable advanced photosynthesis, allowing for increased growth rate and water efficiency. This knowledge could be used to breed faster-growing, drought-resistant crops like rice.
Researchers analyzed Neogene plant fossils to understand how plants respond to climate change. The study found that stomatal density increased during the present epoch and decreased during the late Pliocene, indicating an inverse relationship with atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Researchers have captured conclusive images of green alga consuming bacteria, providing evidence for a critical step in the evolution of photosynthetic algae and land plants. The discovery sheds light on an early evolutionary event that fundamentally changed the trajectory of plant and animal evolution.
A study found that shorter plants have faster-changing genomes and evolve as much as five times faster than taller ones. This is due to the accumulation of genetic changes in actively-dividing cells at the tip of plant shoots.
The Museum of Evolution at Uppsala University is digitizing Carl Thunberg's Japanese plants, made available for the world to study. The project will simplify access for researchers and promote democracy in botanical studies.
Carnivorous plants have evolved cup-shaped leaves to catch prey, allowing them to thrive in nutrient-poor environments. The study aims to uncover the rules of growth and evolution behind these complex forms, combining observations, 3D imaging, and genetic analysis.
Researchers have discovered two new species of Caribbean orchid belonging to the Laeliinae family. The new species, Encyclia navarroi and Tetramicra riparia, were found in Cuba's eastern and western zones respectively.
Researchers used big data statistical tools to trace directionality in gene migration, finding a westward migration of genes from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. This method can also be applied to estimate information flow in complex networks.
The study provides a comprehensive review of the Yuzhou Flora, recognizing 111 genera and 307 species from 40 fossil plant layers. The authors propose hypotheses on evolutionary trends in leaf structure and venation patterns, as well as a new morphotype classification scheme for Gigantopteridales.
A 5-year study found that removing insects from the environment can cause plants to quickly lose defensive traits, such as anti-moth chemicals and temporal blooms. This rapid evolution is driven by natural selection, with successful varieties emerging when moths are absent.
A study from the University of Toronto Mississauga discovered that insect interaction can cause rapid evolutionary changes in plants, with populations diverging significantly in as few as three to four generations. This suggests that insects play a crucial role in plant evolution and diversity.
Researchers studying papaya's sex chromosomes have found that the X chromosome has undergone significant changes since its emergence, including rapid expansion and gene loss. These findings challenge previous assumptions about the early stages of sex chromosome evolution and provide insights into the human X chromosome.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that same molecular changes confer resistance in multiple insect species across four orders, suggesting a high level of evolutionary repeatability
UC Santa Barbara scientists have found that the tamarisk leaf beetle has evolved to delay its entry into hibernation, allowing it to survive and reproduce in the southern US. This adaptation enables the beetle to effectively control the invasive tamarisk plant, providing a cost-effective solution for containing the weed.
A Michigan State University professor and colleague discuss the importance of plant research in a paper published in Science. They highlight the need to improve our understanding of plant metabolism to develop more sustainable agriculture and medicinal products.
A new study uses molecular clock methods to reconstruct the cypress family tree, revealing that their evolution reflects the break-up of Pangea. The research confirms that cypresses are a very old plant family with origins tracing back to 153 million years ago.
Researchers discover genes passed from plant to plant between species with distant kinship, contributing to the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. This 'lateral gene transfer' allows plants to adapt to new environments by taking genes from others.
A recent study by researchers at NESCent found that larger plant size can lead to bigger, more plentiful blooms, but accounting for overall size differences is crucial in detecting tradeoffs. The study tested three hypotheses and concluded that flower size-number tradeoffs are harder to spot due to various reasons.
A Kansas State University researcher is studying the genetic basis of natural variation in sunflowers, a process known as ecological or evolutionary genetics. The study has found that massive proliferation events of LTR retrotransposons contribute to the increase in genome size of hybrid species.
Researchers have found that newly formed plant species exhibit highly unstable genomes, which may lead to improved fertility and yields in crops such as wheat, corn, and broccoli. The study's findings could inform the development of polyploid crops with higher fertility and performance.
The Koffler Scientific Reserve is launching a four-year project to collect seeds from 34 target species, which will be banked for 5-50 years. Researchers will analyze how these species react to changes in their surroundings, such as climate change and new land-use patterns.