phylogenomics
Phylogenomics is the study of evolutionary relationships using whole-genome or large-scale genomic data, offering far greater resolution than traditional single-gene approaches. In plant science, this powerful framework helps researchers untangle complex evolutionary histories, resolve longstanding uncertainties in plant classification, and understand how plant lineages diversified and adapted over millions of years. It is especially valuable for plants, where hybridization, polyploidy, and rapid diversification can make relationships difficult to reconstruct from limited genetic data alone.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-04-21
Scientists mapped the evolutionary family tree of Cistantheae, a diverse group of flowering plants from western North and South America that thrive in both deserts and high mountains. The study reveals that whether a plant lives for one year or many is strongly tied to climate, and that many species may be naturally suited to survive in a wide range of harsh environments.
Annual vs. perennial life history evolved multiple independent times and is strongly correlated with climate: annuals dominate hotter, drier habitats while perennials favor cooler, wetter ones.
Genomic data from 160+ samples across 48 species revealed rampant gene flow and incomplete lineage sorting, especially among annual Cistanthe species in the Atacama Desert.
Many Cistantheae species occupy wide elevational ranges and show repeated transitions in climatic niche, suggesting broad pre-adaptation to both arid and montane habitats.
