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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #304022

Title: Evolution of the fruit endocarp: molecular mechanisms underlying adaptations in seed protection and dispersal strategies

Author
item Dardick, Christopher - Chris
item Callahan, Ann

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/30/2014
Publication Date: 6/25/2014
Citation: Dardick, C.D., Callahan, A.M. 2014. Evolution of the fruit endocarp: molecular mechanisms underlying adaptations in seed protection and dispersal strategies. Frontiers in Plant Science. DOI:10.3389/FPLS.2014.00284.

Interpretive Summary: Plants have evolved a dizzying array of fruit types in order to disperse their seeds and ensure survival of the next generation. Even more remarkable is that even closely related plant species can produce fruits that look vastly different. For example, strawberry, peach, apple, and rose are all in the same family but have fruits that are dissimilar not only in shape, color, size, and function, but also with respect to the floral organs from which the various fruit layers originate. A fundamental question in plant biology is how such different fruit developmental pathways evolved over relatively short periods of time. Here, we discuss the current body of knowledge about how one of the fruit tissue layers (the fruit endocarp) has evolved in different plant species. It is concluded that minor changes to key regulatory genes can lead to dramatic alterations in fruit form and function. The findings provide a guidepost for future studies on fruit development including plant models that may be exploited as well as critical knowledge gaps that remain.

Technical Abstract: Plant evolution is largely driven by adaptations in seed protection and dispersal strategies that allow diversification into new niches. This is evident by the tremendous variation in flowering and fruiting structures present both across and within different plant lineages. Within a single plant family, a staggering variety of fruit types can be found such as fleshy fruits including achenes, berries, pomes, and drupes and dry fruit structures like capsules and follicles. What are the evolutionary mechanisms that enable such dramatic shifts to occur in such a relatively short period of time? This remains a fundamental question of plant biology today. On the surface, it seems that these extreme differences in form and function must be the consequence of very different developmental programs that require unique sets of genes. Yet as we begin to decipher the molecular and genetic basis underlying fruit form, it is becoming apparent that simple genetic changes in key developmental regulatory genes can have profound anatomical effects. Here, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of fruit endocarp tissue differentiation that have contributed to species diversification within three plant lineages.