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Selection pressures on stomatal evolution.

John A Raven1

  • 1Division of Environmental and Applied Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Biological Sciences Institute, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK.

The New Phytologist
|April 17, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Stomata, pores regulating gas exchange in plants, likely originated once in land plants. Their evolution enabled taller growth and water regulation, impacting photosynthesis and survival strategies over 400 million years.

Keywords:
embryophytesevolutionlife formsphotosynthesiswater relations

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Area of Science:

  • Plant evolution
  • Paleobotany
  • Physiological ecology

Background:

  • Stomata have been present in land plants (embryophytes) for 400 million years.
  • Their presence is documented in sporophytes and gametophytes.
  • The evolutionary history of stomata is debated, with some analyses suggesting a unique origin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origin of stomata.
  • To explore the functional and ecophysiological implications of stomatal evolution.
  • To understand the role of stomata in plant adaptation to terrestrial environments.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of fossil evidence of stomata in embryophytes.
  • Cladistic analyses of plant lineages to infer stomatal origins.
  • Functional and ecophysiological modeling of early plant adaptations.

Main Results:

  • Fossil evidence indicates stomata appeared 400 million years ago.
  • Cladistic analyses support a single origin of stomata, though early liverworts may have lost them.
  • Pre-stomatal pores likely enhanced photosynthesis in early plants.
  • Functional stomata facilitated homoiohydry, taller growth, and water management, balancing carbon gain with water loss.

Conclusions:

  • Stomata likely evolved once in land plants, representing a key innovation for terrestrial life.
  • Stomatal evolution allowed plants to overcome water stress and CO2 limitations, enabling diversification and larger stature.
  • The regulation of gas exchange by stomata is crucial for plant survival and productivity across diverse environments.