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The evolution of plant development in a paleontological context
1Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. ckboyce@uchicago.edu
Current Opinion in Plant Biology
|November 10, 2009
Summary
The fossil record reveals vascular plant traits evolved repeatedly, challenging assumptions from living plants alone. Integrating fossil and genetic data illuminates plant evolution, especially during the Devonian period.
Area of Science:
- Paleobotany
- Evolutionary Developmental Biology
- Plant Evolution
Background:
- Vascular plant form evolution is often inferred from extant species.
- The fossil record provides crucial, yet often overlooked, evidence.
- Understanding developmental mechanisms requires integrating diverse data sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the paleontological context of vascular plant evolution.
- To integrate fossil data with advances in developmental genetics.
- To understand the repeated evolution of key plant traits.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of fossil plant structures.
- Review of developmental genetics research.
- Integration of paleontological and molecular data.
Main Results:
- Most vascular plant features evolved multiple times during the Paleozoic.
- The fossil record contradicts expectations based solely on extant plants.
- Key traits like independent sporophytes, leaves, and roots evolved repeatedly.
Conclusions:
- Fossil and living plant data are essential for understanding plant evolution.
- Repeated evolution of traits highlights developmental plasticity.
- Devonian radiation of vascular plants was driven by multiple evolutionary innovations.
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