The Evolution of Genome Size and Base Composition in Cyperid Clade
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| Year of publication | 2013 |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Using flow cytometry, we analyzed genome size (2C, nuclear DNA amount) and genomic base composition (GC content) in more than 600 taxa of Cyperaceae + Juncaceae + Thurniaceae covering representatively all main lineages of this Cyperid clade. Compared to representatives of the other 13 families in Poales, the evolution of the holokinetic chromosome structure in the Cyperid clade is associated with substantial decrease in genome size and with a shift in genomic base composition to lower GC content. Only in the lineages of Eleocharis, Tetraria and Schoenus, did genome size increase. Generally, higher divergence in genome size has evolved in non-tropical genera and widely distributed species had smaller genomes. In some genera, reduction in chromosome number was associated with increased genome size. This is consistent with the model of holokinetic drive (see abstract of Zedek and Bures) which also explains the extreme variation in chromosome size at a relatively fine phylogenetic scale in Cyperaceae. |
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