biostudies-literatureUnknown25(1)Waesch C<h4>Background</h4>In plants and animals, pollen or sperm morphology differ greatly between species. Across plant species, pollen morphological diversity is broadly linked to different pollination systems. However, the extent of within-species diversity is less well understood. To address this question, we explored pollen and anther diversity in rye (Secale cereale L.), a wind-pollinating grass species.<h4>Results</h4>We analysed 339 domesticated, feral and wild rye individuals of 64 diverse accessions. Population structure analysis revealed a differentiation gradient from wild to domesticated rye. We found pronounced within-species diversity of pollen and anther morphology. Genome-wide association scans uncovered a polygenic architecture of pollen and anther traits, with medium to high heBMC plant biology389https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11948849biostudies-literaturePollen and anther morphological variation in rye was shaped by domestication.PMC11948849Dreissig SGaede NDusny CHimmelbach ABorner AKoch NHornick TMascher MPillen KFuchs JGao YWaesch CDunker SfalsePollen and anther morphological variation in rye was shaped by domestication.<h4>Background</h4>In plants and animals, pollen or sperm morphology differ greatly between species. Across plant species, pollen morphological diversity is broadly linked to different pollination systems. However, the extent of within-species diversity is less well understood. To address this question, we explored pollen and anther diversity in rye (Secale cereale L.), a wind-pollinating grass species.<h4>Results</h4>We analysed 339 domesticated, feral and wild rye individuals of 64 diverse accessions. Population structure analysis revealed a differentiation gradient from wild to domesticated rye. We found pronounced within-species diversity of pollen and anther morphology. Genome-wide association scans uncovered a polygenic architecture of pollen and anther traits, with medium to high he2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2026-04-23T03:20:28.865Z2025-07-09T03:04:56.163ZS-EPMC119488494014882610.1186/s12870-025-06416-x