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Jeiter J, Smets E. Comparative morphology at a crossroads. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2024:e16392. [PMID: 39148327 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.16392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Morphology has been the fundamental and most important source of information in biology. We strongly believe that in the current molecular era of biology, comparative morphology still has an important role to play in understanding life on Earth and ecosystem functioning, bridging the knowledge gap between evolution, systematics, and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Jeiter
- Chair of Botany, Faculty of Biology, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, 01062, Germany
- Nees Institute for Biodiversity of Plants, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, Bonn, 53115, Germany
| | - Erik Smets
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden, 2333 BE, The Netherlands
- Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, Box 2435, Heverlee, 3001, Belgium
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Laurans M, Munoz F, Charles-Dominique T, Heuret P, Fortunel C, Isnard S, Sabatier SA, Caraglio Y, Violle C. Why incorporate plant architecture into trait-based ecology? Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:524-536. [PMID: 38212187 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Trait-based ecology has improved our understanding of the functioning of organisms, communities, ecosystems, and beyond. However, its predictive ability remains limited as long as phenotypic integration and temporal dynamics are not considered. We highlight how the morphogenetic processes that shape the 3D development of a plant during its lifetime affect its performance. We show that the diversity of architectural traits allows us to go beyond organ-level traits in capturing the temporal and spatial dimensions of ecological niches and informing community assembly processes. Overall, we argue that consideration of multilevel topological, geometrical, and ontogenetic features provides a dynamic view of the whole-plant phenotype and a relevant framework for investigating phenotypic integration, plant adaptation and performance, and community structure and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyne Laurans
- CIRAD, UMR AMAP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - François Munoz
- LiPhy, Université Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Tristan Charles-Dominique
- AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France; CNRS UMR7618, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Paris, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Heuret
- AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Claire Fortunel
- AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Sandrine Isnard
- AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Sylvie-Annabel Sabatier
- CIRAD, UMR AMAP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Yves Caraglio
- CIRAD, UMR AMAP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Cyrille Violle
- CEFE, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
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Dörken VM, Ladd PG, Parsons RF. The evolutionary and ecological significance of phylloclade formation: A morpho-anatomical approach. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 79:102545. [PMID: 38710125 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Instead of leaves, in a few species the main photosynthetic organ is a flattened structure that can be a modified branch (e.g. Ruscus, Jacksonia) or a fused combination of branch and leaf tissue (e.g. Phyllocladus) called a phylloclade. The phylloclades of Phyllocladus lack xeromorphic features in their wet habitat. They are broad under the low light conditions as are those of Ruscus which can occur in forest understories. However Ruscus is also common in dry habitats and shows numerous xeromorphic features. In Jacksonia extensive sclerenchyma and thick cuticle protect the phylloclades from desiccation damage in xeric seasonal conditions. Despite former contrary definitions of phylloclades we advocate they be defined as pseudo-petiolate organs determinate in growth which arise from axillary buds in the axil of reduced leaves and resemble a leaf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veit M Dörken
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, M 613, Universitätsstr. 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Philip G Ladd
- Environment and Conservation Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Robert F Parsons
- Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
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Sattler R. Morpho Evo-Devo of the Gynoecium: Heterotopy, Redefinition of the Carpel, and a Topographic Approach. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:599. [PMID: 38475445 DOI: 10.3390/plants13050599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Since the 19th century, we have had countless debates, sometimes acrimonious, about the nature of the gynoecium. A pivotal question has been whether all angiosperms possess carpels or if some or all angiosperms are acarpellate. We can resolve these debates if we do not define the carpel as a closed megasporophyll but simply as an appendage that encloses the placenta or a single ovule. This redefinition may, however, lead to confusion because often it may not be clear whether the traditional (classical) definition of the carpel or the redefinition is implied. Therefore, a topographic approach is proposed that is compatible with the redefinition. According to this approach, gynoecia comprise one or more gynoecial appendages and placentas or single ovules that may be formed in different positions. Heterotopy refers to these different positions. In the context of evo-devo, which explores evolutionary changes in development, morpho evo-devo delves into spatial shifts of the placentas and ovules leading to heterotopy. Furthermore, it considers shifts in timing (heterochrony) and other processes leading to heteromorphy. Recognizing spatial shifting of the placentas or a single ovule and other evolutionary processes opens up new vistas in the search for the ancestor(s) of angiosperms and their gynoecia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Sattler
- Biology Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
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Segovia-Rivas A, Olson ME. Temperature and Turgor "Limitation" and Environmental "Control" in Xylem Biology and Dendrochronology. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1364-1375. [PMID: 37550219 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Trees and other woody plants are immensely ecologically important, making it essential to understand the causes of relationships between tree structure and function. To help these efforts, we highlight persistent traditions in plant biology of appealing to environmental factors "limiting" or "controlling" woody plant features. Examples include the idea that inevitable drops in cell turgor with plant height limit cell expansion and thus leaf size and tree height; that low temperatures prohibit lignification of cells and thus the growth of woody plants at high elevation; and notions from dendrochronology and related fields that climate factors such as rainfall and temperature "control" growth ring features. We show that notions of "control," "limitation," and the like imply that selection would favor a given trait value, but that these would-be favored values are developmentally impossible to produce. Such "limitation" scenarios predict trait frequency distributions that are very narrow and are abruptly curtailed at the upper limit of developmental possibility (the right-hand side of the distribution). Such distributions have, to our knowledge, never been observed, so we see little empirical support for "limitation" hypotheses. We suggest that, as a more productive starting point, plant biologists should examine adaptation hypotheses, in which developmental possibility is wide (congruent with the wide ranges of trait variation that really are observed), but only some of the possible variants are favored. We suggest that (1) the traditional the proximate/ultimate causation distinction, (2) purging scenarios of teleology/anthropomorphism, and (3) stating hypotheses in terms of developmental potential and natural selection are three simple ways of making "limitation" hypotheses clearer with regard to biological process and thus empirically testable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alí Segovia-Rivas
- Instituto de Biología, , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tercer Circuito sn de Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Mark E Olson
- Instituto de Biología, , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tercer Circuito sn de Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
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Huntsman SV, Leslie AB. The ontogeny of disparity in Cupressaceae seed cones. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023. [PMID: 38148572 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Ontogenetic shape change has long been recognized to be important in generating patterns of morphological diversity and may be especially important in plant reproductive structures. We explore how seed cone disparity in Cupressaceae changes over ontogeny by comparing pollination-stage and mature cones. We sampled cones at pollen and seed release and measured cone scales using basic morphometric shape variables. We used multivariate statistical methods, particularly hypervolume overlap calculations, to measure morphospace occupation and disparity. Cone scales at both pollination and maturity exhibit substantial variability, although the disparity is greater at maturity. Mature cone scales are also more clustered in trait space, showing less overlap with other taxa than at pollination. These patterns reflect two growth strategies that generate closed cones over maturation, either through thin laminar scales or relatively thick, peltate scales, resulting in two distinct regions of morphospace occupation. Disparity patterns in Cupressaceae seed cones change over ontogeny, reflecting shifting functional demands that require specific patterns of cone scale growth. The evolution of Cupressaceae reproductive disparity therefore represents selection for trajectories of ontogenetic shape change, a phenomenon that should be widespread across seed plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepfan V Huntsman
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Stanford University, 450 Jane Stanford Way, Building 320, Room 118, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Andrew B Leslie
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Stanford University, 450 Jane Stanford Way, Building 320, Room 118, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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