We reconstruct the evolutionary changes in different anatomical markers in order to understand the evolution and functional aspects of growth rings during the diversification of seed plants (spermatophytes), one of the largest and most diverse lineages of the tree of life. We carried out a wide revision of the anatomy of secondary xylem in spermatophytes and reconstructed the evolution of the different anatomical markers in a time-calibrated phylogeny. By embodying a functionally and evolutionarily significant concept in growth rings we reveal a new panorama for their frequency and show how common they are in diverse lineages of tropical plants. In this context, the principal anatomical markers of growth rings are identified in the evolutionary history of plants and their association with climate-related ecological characteristics. We discuss the function of these anatomical markers, especially for thick-walled and/or radially flattened latewood fibres, fibre zone and dilated rays. Despite the high evolutionary lability of the anatomical markers evidenced by our analyses, they appear to represent deep homologies.

中文翻译：

---

种子植物年轮解剖标记起源和进化变化的系统发育和功能视角

我们重建了不同解剖标记的进化变化，以了解种子植物（精子植物）多样化过程中年轮的进化和功能方面，种子植物是生命之树最大和最多样化的谱系之一。我们对精子中次生木质部的解剖结构进行了广泛的修订，并在时间校准的系统发育中重建了不同解剖标记的进化。通过在年轮中体现功能和进化上重要的概念，我们揭示了它们频率的新全景，并展示了它们在不同热带植物谱系中的普遍性。在这种情况下，生长轮的主要解剖标记在植物的进化历史及其与气候相关生态特征的关联中被确定。我们讨论了这些解剖标记的功能，特别是对于厚壁和/或径向扁平的晚材纤维、纤维区和扩张射线。尽管我们的分析证明解剖标记具有高度的进化不稳定性，但它们似乎代表了深层同源性。