Environmental pressures on stomatal size may drive plant genome size evolution: evidence from a natural experiment with Cape geophytes.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The idea that genome (size) evolution in eukaryotes could be driven by environmental factors is still vigorously debated. In extant plants, genome size correlates positively with stomatal size, leading to the idea that conditions enabling the existence of large stomata in fossil plants also supported growth of their genome size. We test this inductive assumption in drought-adapted, prostrate-leaved Cape (South Africa) geophytes where, compared with their upright-leaved geophytic ancestors, stomata develop in a favourably humid microclimate formed underneath their leaves.

Methods

Stomatal parameters (leaf cuticle imprints) and genome size (flow cytometry) were measured in 16 closely related geophytic species pairs from seven plant families. In each pair, r

SUBMITTER: Vesely P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7380457 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature