Correlated evolution of seed mass and genome size varies among life forms in flowering plants

Abstract Seeds show important variation as plant regenerative units among species, but their evolutionary co-variations with other characteristics are still poorly understood. Whilst a positive association of seed mass genome size (GS) and life forms has already been documented, broad-scale quantification correlation adaptive selection never conducted. Here, we tested for correlated evolution GS towards distinct selective regimes related to form in angiosperms. In particular, the hypothesis that toward lighter seeds smaller genomes is stronger annual plants, ensuring high potential. Using multivariate models over dataset containing 3242 showed an overall deviating from pure drift process. Instead, changes sizes were driven by optimal values differing forms. Specifically, optima which evolve covariation small annuals, intermediate perennial herbs trade-off between woody plants. Moreover, strongest annuals adaption complete cycle short time window, when environmental conditions favourable regeneration development maturity. The asymmetry acting on due could explain how life-history traits interplay functional plants have evolved diverse successful strategies.