Hidden functional complexity in the flora of an early land ecosystem.
Hidden functional complexity in the flora of an early land ecosystem.
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早期陆地生态系统植物群中隐藏的功能复杂性。
DOI：
10.1111/nph.19228
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发表时间：
2024
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Smith,RichardS
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
D'Ario,Marco;Lane,Brendan;FiorattiJunod,Marco;Leslie,Andrew;Mosca,Gabriella;Smith,RichardS
第一个陆地生态系统由本质上简单的生物组成，但其植物区系的形态多样性却非常丰富。这种多样性的生物学意义仍然是一个谜，很大程度上是由于缺乏可行的研究方法。为了研究早泥盆世植物区系的功能生物学，我们用硅片遗迹重建了灭绝的植物。我们使用有限元方法探讨了孢子囊的形态多样性与其机械性能的关系。我们的方法强调了孢子囊形态对孢子传播和适应的影响。我们发现了早期陆地植物中先前未发现的创新，讨论了不同物种如何选择不同的孢子传播策略。我们提出了抗膨胀压力趋同进化的例子，这是通过球形孢子囊中的应力均化和类扁豆标本中的扭转力来实现的。此外，我们还展示了应激辅助孢子囊破裂的潜在机制。我们的研究揭示了这个看似简单的生物体群体的欺骗性复杂性。我们利用我们方法的定量性质，构建了一个适应性景观，以了解早期泥盆世威尔士边境植物群中存在的不同生态位。通过将形态学与功能生物学联系起来，这些发现有助于更深入地了解早期陆地植物的多样性及其在生态系统中的地位。
The first land ecosystems were composed of organisms considered simple in nature, yet the morphological diversity of their flora was extraordinary. The biological significance of this diversity remains a mystery largely due to the absence of feasible study approaches.To study the functional biology of Early Devonian flora, we have reconstructed extinct plants from fossilised remainsin silico. We explored the morphological diversity of sporangia in relation to their mechanical properties using finite element method. Our approach highlights the impact of sporangia morphology on spore dispersal and adaptation.We discovered previously unidentified innovations among early land plants, discussing how different species might have opted for different spore dispersal strategies. We present examples of convergent evolution for turgor pressure resistance, achieved by homogenisation of stress in spherical sporangia and by torquing force inTortilicaulis‐likespecimens. In addition, we show a potential mechanism for stress‐assisted sporangium rupture. Our study reveals the deceptive complexity of this seemingly simple group of organisms.We leveraged the quantitative nature of our approach and constructed a fitness landscape to understand the different ecological niches present in the Early Devonian Welsh Borderland flora. By connecting morphology to functional biology, these findings facilitate a deeper understanding of the diversity of early land plants and their place within their ecosystem.