Evolution and ecology of seed internal morphology in relation to germination characteristics in Amaranthaceae |
| |
| Authors: | Filip Vandelook Rosemary J Newton Nadine Bobon Katharina Bohley Gudrun Kadereit |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Living Collections Department, Meise Botanic Garden, Belgium, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium;2. Conservation Science Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN, UK;3. Lehrstuhl für Systematik, Biodiversität & Evolution, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Menzinger Strasse 67, 80638 München, Germany |
| |
| Abstract: | Background and AimsInternal seed morphological traits such as embryo characteristics and nutritive tissue can vary considerably within a plant lineage. These traits play a prominent role in germination processes and the success of seedling establishment, and are therefore under high selective pressure, especially in environments hostile to seedlings, such as arid, saline or highly dynamic habitats. We investigated the relationships of seed internal morphology and germination characteristics of 84 species of Amaranthaceae s.l., a family with numerous lineages that have adapted to stressful growing conditions.MethodsWe used seed cross-sections to assess embryo type and the ratios of embryo to seed surface and radicle to cotyledon length. Furthermore, seed mass, mean time to germination, habitat preferences and further plant traits such as C3 or C4 photosynthesis and life form were compiled for each species. Data were analysed using phylogenetic comparative methods.Key resultsWe found embryo type (λ = 1), log seed mass (λ = 0.86) and the ratio of embryo to seed size (λ = 0.78) to be evolutionarily stable, with an annular embryo as ancestral in the family. Linked to shifts to the three derived embryos types (spiral, horseshoe-shaped and curved) is an increase in the ratio of root to cotyledon length and a reduction of nutritive tissue. We observed stabilizing selection towards seeds with relatively large embryos with longer radicles and less nutritive tissue that are able to germinate faster, especially in lineages with C4 photosynthesis and/or salt tolerance.ConclusionsWe conclude that the evolutionary shift of nutrient storage from perisperm to embryo provides an ecological advantage in extreme environments, because it enables faster germination and seedling establishment. Furthermore, the evolutionary shift towards a higher ratio of root to cotyledon length especially in small-seeded Amaranthaceae growing in saline habitats can provide an ecological advantage for fast seedling establishment. |
| |
| Keywords: | Amaranthaceae Chenopodiaceae ecology of seed mass embryo type fast seed germination perisperm radicle seedling establishment salinity stress drought stress |
|
|
