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Gnetum and Nymphaeaceans as Models for a Scenario of the Origin of Morphotype of Flowering Plants

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Abstract

Phylogenetic relationship among seed plants recently obtained with molecular genetics fails to reveal the evolutionary steps of the formation of the basic morphotype of flowering plants. This task can be solved via morphological functional modeling of the first steps of the formation of flowering plants based on appropriate morphotypes in extant flora, irrespective of their genetic kinship. For instance, Gnetales adhere phylogenetically to conifers, but the genus Gnetum is appreciated for its numerous features convergent with angiosperms and can be used as a model of the morphological state of the angiosperm ancestor. A morphological analysis of the available data shows that the true angiosperm ancestor must have differed from Gnetum in some important respects, e.g., it must have had a more primitive xylem and bisexual fructifications. Aquatic intermediate stage modeled by water lilies is needed as a “bridge” that connects this ancestral condition with a full-fledged flowering plant. This intermediate stage differed from the extant water lilies in some crucial respects, e.g., it retained a cambium and possessed small flowers. The appearance of perianth with corolla is supposed to be possible at this aquatic stage only because it is water-wasteful. The scenario employs the concept of a megasporangia-bearing shoot, which is an alternative to the more common concept of a megasporangia-bearing leaf.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

When preparing the article, the authors consulted with S.V. Kuptsov, A.V. Bobrov, and E.A. Kuzmicheva. N.V. Kryukova turned the sketch of the presented diagram of the hypothetical megasporophore into an elegant electronic drawing. A.A. Panyutina turned good intentions of the senior author to complete what he had begun many years ago into a real plan for the preparation of a publication and constantly prevented distraction from the work on the manuscript, carrying out coordination, technical support, and editing. An invaluable role in improving the article was played by the constructive comments of the reviewers and their advice on the inclusion of additional literature that was missed in the first stage of manuscript preparation. The commentary by B.B. Zhukov (https://bbzhukov.livejournal.com/110010.html) turned out to be very valuable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, 0063, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

    Pavel P. Gambaryan

  2. Borissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997, Moscow, Russia

    A. N. Kuznetsov

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  1. Pavel P. Gambaryan
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  2. A. N. Kuznetsov
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Correspondence to A. N. Kuznetsov.

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Translated by M. Shulskaya

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Pavel P. Gambaryan, Kuznetsov, A.N. Gnetum and Nymphaeaceans as Models for a Scenario of the Origin of Morphotype of Flowering Plants. Biol Bull Rev 11, 237–253 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079086421030038

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079086421030038

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