Whole-Genome Duplication and Plant Macroevolution. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clark, James W.; Donoghue, Philip C.J.
• Is Part Of: Trends in plant science. Volume 23:Number 10(2018)
• Page Start: 933
• Page End: 945
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: genome duplication -- polyploidy -- plant evolution -- macroevolution; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; Botany; Periodicals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2018.07.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-1385

Abstract

Abstract : Whole-genome duplication (WGD) is characteristic of almost all fundamental lineages of land plants. Unfortunately, the timings of WGD events are loosely constrained and hypotheses of evolutionary consequence are poorly formulated, making them difficult to test. Using examples from across the plant kingdom, we show that estimates of timing can be improved through the application of molecular clock methodology to multigene datasets. Further, we show that phenotypic change can be quantified in morphospaces and that relative phenotypic disparity can be compared in the light of WGD. Together, these approaches facilitate tests of hypotheses on the role of WGD in plant evolution, underscoring the potential of plants as a model system for investigating the role WGD in macroevolution. Highlights: WGD events continue to be discovered throughout plant systematic diversity as a consequence of genome sequencing programs. The absolute timing of WGD events remains poorly constrained and poorly understood, but many hypotheses regarding the role of WGD in plant evolution depend on precise estimates. The role of WGD in facilitating diversification has a strong theoretical basis but remains to be rigorously tested, and WGD in species-poor lineages cannot be ignored. WGD as a driver of plant morphological diversity is an appealing hypothesis, but requires a framework which can quantify morphological variation between lineages and through time.