Phylogenetic, ecological and intraindividual variability patterns in grass phytolith shape.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Grass silica short cell (GSSC) phytoliths appear to be the most reliable source of fossil evidence for tracking the evolutionary history and paleoecology of grasses. In recent years, modern techniques that quantitatively assess phytolith shape variation have widened opportunities for the classification of grass fossil phytoliths. However, phylogenetic, ecological and intraindividual variability patterns in phytolith shape remain largely unexplored.

Methods

The full range of intraindividual phytolith shape variation [3650 two-dimensional (2-D) outlines] from 73 extant grass species, 48 genera, 18 tribes and eight subfamilies (particularly Pooideae) was analysed using geometric morphometric analysis based on semi-landmarks spanning phytolith outlines.

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SUBMITTER: Hoskova K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8835630 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature