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Developmental constraint underlies the replicated evolution of grass awns.

Erin Patterson1,2, Dana R MacGregor3, Michelle M Heeney1,4

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, 611 N. Pleasant St, Amherst, MA, 01002, USA.

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|November 18, 2024
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Summary

Replicated evolution of grass awns demonstrates how conserved developmental programs can repeatedly generate similar traits. This study reveals conserved gene functions and developmental pathways underlying the independent evolution of awns in grasses.

Keywords:
ancestral developmental potentialconvergent evolutiondevelopmental constraintflower developmentgrass evolutionleaf developmentparallel evolutionplant evo‐devo

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Developmental Genetics
  • Plant Morphology

Background:

  • Replicated trait evolution offers insights into biodiversity mechanisms.
  • Awns, grass inflorescence organs homologous to leaf blades, exemplify replicated evolution.
  • Hypothesis: A conserved leaf blade developmental program underlies repeated awn emergence and loss.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms of replicated awn evolution in grasses.
  • To evaluate the role of conserved developmental programs in awn emergence.
  • To understand how developmental conservation influences morphological diversity in awns.

Main Methods:

  • Ancestral state estimations
  • Comparative genetics
  • Anatomical and morphological analyses
  • Investigated DROOPING LEAF gene function in awn initiation

Main Results:

  • Independently evolved awned lemmas share developmental similarities.
  • DROOPING LEAF gene orthologs are crucial for awn initiation in Brachypodium distachyon and Alopecurus myosuroides.
  • Differential compartment expansion explains diverse mature awn morphologies.

Conclusions:

  • Developmental conservation is a key driver of replicated evolution.
  • Conserved genetic and developmental pathways potentiate the evolution of morphological diversity in grass awns.
  • Study elucidates the interplay between developmental constraints and evolutionary innovation.