Polyploidization within the Funariaceae—a key principle behind speciation, sporophyte reduction and the high variance of spore diameters?

Although being recognized as a major force behind speciation in flowering plants, the evolutionary relevance of genome duplication (polyploidization) remains largely unexplored mosses. Phylogenetic and-genomic insights from model organism Physcomitrella patens and closely related species revealed that polyploidization, likely via hybridization (allopolyploidization), gives rise to new within Funariaceae. Based on phylogenetic analysis nuclear single copy gene BRK1 combined with measurement DNA content by flow cytometry, we identified Entosthodon hungaricus such an allopolyploid species. Together Physcomitrium pyriforme, eurystomum collenchymatum, which were previously arose hybridization, E. represents additional lineage complex is characterized convergent sporophyte reduction considerable variance spore sizes. morphological cytological data 18 species, highlight potential impact polyploidization size spores architecture.