Nutrient reserves may allow for genome size increase: evidence from comparison of geophytes and their sister non-geophytic relatives.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The genome size of an organism is determined by its capacity to tolerate genome expansion, given the species' life strategy and the limits of a particular environment, and the ability for retrotransposon suppression and/or removal. In some giant-genomed bulb geophytes, this tolerance is explained by their ability to pre-divide cells in the dormant stages or by the selective advantage of larger cells in the rapid growth of their fleshy body. In this study, a test shows that the tendency for genome size expansion is a more universal feature of geophytes, and is a subject in need of more general consideration.

Methods

Differences in monoploid genome sizes were compared using standardized phylogenetically independent contrasts in 47 sister pairs of geophytic

SUBMITTER: Vesely P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3783246 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature