Evolutionary Dynamics of Conifer Phylogenetics
Summary
Conifers represent one of the most ancient lineages of seed plants, with origins tracing back to the late Carboniferous. Their extant diversity spans eight families and more than 600 species, distributed across all continents except Antarctica. Modern phylogenetic studies combine large‐scale DNA sequencing, fossil calibration and biogeographical modelling to reconstruct the timing and pattern of conifer diversification. Plastid genomes, single‐copy nuclear genes and transcriptomes each contribute complementary views of species relationships, while molecular dating anchored by well‐placed fossils yields revised estimates of crown‐group ages. Conflicts between plastid and nuclear trees often reflect incomplete lineage sorting, hybridisation or gene flow, underscoring the reticulate nature of conifer evolution. Recent work has also illuminated the evolution of key gene families, such as terpene synthases, linking phylogenetic frameworks to functional adaptation and conservation priorities under global change.
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Evolutionary Dynamics of Conifer Phylogenetics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in evolutionary dynamics of conifer phylogenetics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phylogenomic analysis: Reconstruction of evolutionary relationships using genome‐scale data sets.
Plastome: The complete plastid (chloroplast) genome of a plant, often used in phylogenetic studies.
Transcriptome: The full set of expressed RNA transcripts in a tissue or organism, used for gene discovery and phylogenetics.
Genome skimming: Low-coverage sequencing of total genomic DNA to recover high-copy elements such as plastid and ribosomal sequences.
Molecular dating: Estimation of divergence times using DNA sequence data calibrated by fossil constraints.
Incomplete lineage sorting: The persistence of ancestral genetic variation that leads to discordant gene trees.
References
- Phylotranscriptomics and evolution of key genes for terpene biosynthesis in Pinaceae. Frontiers in Plant Science (2023).
- Diversity, Distribution, Systematics and Conservation Status of Podocarpaceae. Plants (2023).
- Plastome phylogenomics of Cephalotaxus (Cephalotaxaceae) and allied genera. Annals of Botany (2020).
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