2014/06/25 by Chris Dardick, Ann Callahan · 160 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Medicine · #Plant Reproductive Biology #Plant Molecular Biology Research #Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies #Biological dispersal #Seed dispersal #Biology #Adaptation (eye) #Evolutionary biology #Medicine
paper · pdf · doi:10.3389/fpls.2014.00284
published in Frontiers in Plant Science 5, 284 (Frontiers Media)
openalex publication_date 2014/06/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Plant evolution is largely driven by adaptations in seed protection and dispersal strategies that allow diversification into new niches. This is evident by the tremendous variation in flowering and fruiting structures present both across and within different plant lineages. Within a single plant family a staggering variety of fruit types can be found such as fleshy fruits including berries, pomes, and drupes and dry fruit structures like achenes, capsules, and follicles. What are the evolutionary mechanisms that enable such dramatic shifts to occur in a relatively short period of time? This remains a fundamental question of plant biology today. On the surface it seems that these extreme differences in form and function must be the consequence of very different developmental programs that require unique sets of genes. Yet as we begin to decipher the molecular and genetic basis underlying fruit form it is becoming apparent that simple genetic changes in key developmental regulatory genes can have profound anatomical effects. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of fruit endocarp tissue differentiation that have contributed to species diversification within three plant lineages.