Apomixis and the paradox of sex in plants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The predominance of sex in eukaryotes, despite the high costs of meiosis and mating, remains an evolutionary enigma. Many theories have been proposed, none of them being conclusive on its own, and they are, in part, not well applicable to land plants. Sexual reproduction is obligate in embryophytes for the great majority of species.

Scope

This review compares the main forms of sexual and asexual reproduction in ferns and angiosperms, based on the generation cycling of sporophyte and gametophyte (leaving vegetative propagation aside). The benefits of sexual reproduction for maintenance of genomic integrity in comparison to asexuality are discussed in the light of developmental, evolutionary, genetic and phylogenetic studies.

Conclusions

Asexual reproduction

SUBMITTER: Horandl E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11161571 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature