Can Repeated Reductive Genome Evolution Across Archaeplastida Explain Volatility in Traits?
- 1Institute of Microbiology and Genetics Department of Applied Bioinformatics University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany.
- 2Göttingen Centre for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB) University of Göttingen Department of Applied Bioinformatics Göttingen Germany.
- 3Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS) Department of Applied Bioinformatics University of Göttingen Göttingen Germany.
Abstract
Genome sequencing efforts have covered phylodiverse Archaeplastida, the lineage of plants and algae that bears primary plastids. In these efforts, gene gains and novelties are a major focus of comparative genomic analyses. Yet, ancestral reconstructions increasingly infer extensive gene loss in major lineages, challenging narratives that emphasize continual gains in complexity. In this perspective, we examine evidence for recurrent genome contraction across photosynthetic eukaryotes, focusing on red algae, the ancestry of land plants, and subsequent diversification within embryophytes. Recent studies suggest that ancestors of modern lineages often possessed larger and more complex gene repertoires than their descendants. We argue that repeated cycles of genome expansion and reduction have generated substantial trait volatility, making gene loss a central driver of eukaryotic evolutionary innovation and diversification.
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BibTeX
@article{kunz2026repeated,
title = {{Can Repeated Reductive Genome Evolution Across Archaeplastida Explain Volatility in Traits?}},
author = {Cäcilia F Kunz and Merve Nida Baştürk and Jan de Vries and Hengchi Chen},
journal = {Advanced genetics (Hoboken, N.J.)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/ggn2.70048},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928795},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Can Repeated Reductive Genome Evolution Across Archaeplastida Explain Volatility in Traits?
AU - Cäcilia F Kunz
AU - Merve Nida Baştürk
AU - Jan de Vries
AU - Hengchi Chen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/24
JO - Advanced genetics (Hoboken, N.J.)
DO - 10.1002/ggn2.70048
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928795
AB - Genome sequencing efforts have covered phylodiverse Archaeplastida, the lineage of plants and algae that bears primary plastids. In these efforts, gene gains and novelties are a major focus of comparative genomic analyses. Yet, ancestral reconstructions increasingly infer extensive gene loss in major lineages, challenging narratives that emphasize continual gains in complexity. In this perspective, we examine evidence for recurrent genome contraction across photosynthetic eukaryotes, focusing on red algae, the ancestry of land plants, and subsequent diversification within embryophytes. Recent studies suggest that ancestors of modern lineages often possessed larger and more complex gene repertoires than their descendants. We argue that repeated cycles of genome expansion and reduction have generated substantial trait volatility, making gene loss a central driver of eukaryotic evolutionary innovation and diversification.
SN - 2641-6573
ER -