Resolving the Stasis-Dynamism Paradox: Genome Evolution in Tree Ferns.

ABSTRACT: The paradox of evolutionary stasis and dynamism-how morphologically static lineages persist through deep geological periods despite environmental fluctuations-remains unresolved in evolutionary biology. Here, we present chromosome-scale genomes for three ecologically divergent species (including both arborescent and nonarborescent growth forms) within Cyatheaceae, an ancient tree fern family characterized by morphological conservation dating back to the Jurassic era. Our results revealed substantial yet cryptically regulated genomic dynamism. A shared Jurassic whole-genome duplication (∼154 Ma) conferred dual adaptive advantages: initially buffering tree ferns against Late Jurassic climatic extremes through retention of stress-response genes, and subsequently facilitating niche diversifica

SUBMITTER: Wei Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12541382 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature