Bryophytes hold a larger gene family space than vascular plants

After 500 million years of evolution, extant land plants compose the following two sister groups: the bryophytes and the vascular plants. Despite their small size and simple structure, bryophytes thrive in a wide variety of habitats, including extreme conditions. However, the genetic basis for their ecological adaptability and long-term survival is not well understood. A comprehensive super-pangenome analysis, incorporating 123 newly sequenced bryophyte genomes, reveals that bryophytes possess a substantially greater diversity of gene families than vascular plants. This includes a higher number of unique and lineage-specific gene families, originating from extensive new gene formation and continuous horizontal transfer of microbial genes over their long evolutionary history. The evolution of bryophytes' rich and diverse genetic toolkit, which includes new physiological innovations like unique immune receptors, likely facilitated their spread across different biomes. These newly sequenced bryophyte genomes offer a valuable resource for exploring alternative evolutionary strategies for terrestrial success.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Genetics
Published
2025-09-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02325-9
Citations
19
Primary Topic
Bryophyte Studies and Records
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
57.51
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article

Bryophytes hold a larger gene family space than vascular plants

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Nature Genetics
Bryophyte Studies and Records
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Bryophytes hold a larger gene family space than vascular plants

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article en
19 citations

Abstract

After 500 million years of evolution, extant land plants compose the following two sister groups: the bryophytes and the vascular plants. Despite their small size and simple structure, bryophytes thrive in a wide variety of habitats, including extreme conditions. However, the genetic basis for their ecological adaptability and long-term survival is not well understood. A comprehensive super-pangenome analysis, incorporating 123 newly sequenced bryophyte genomes, reveals that bryophytes possess a substantially greater diversity of gene families than vascular plants. This includes a higher number of unique and lineage-specific gene families, originating from extensive new gene formation and continuous horizontal transfer of microbial genes over their long evolutionary history. The evolution of bryophytes' rich and diverse genetic toolkit, which includes new physiological innovations like unique immune receptors, likely facilitated their spread across different biomes. These newly sequenced bryophyte genomes offer a valuable resource for exploring alternative evolutionary strategies for terrestrial success.

Nature GeneticsVol. 57(10)
BGI Group (China) (CN), Southern Illinois University Carbondale (US), Nanjing Agricultural University (CN), University of North Texas (US), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Kunming Institute of Botany (CN), University of Connecticut (US), Guangxi University (CN), University of Freiburg (DE), Henan University (CN), Shenzhen University (CN), East Carolina University (US), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Lomonosov Moscow State University (RU), Université de Montpellier (FR), Beijing Normal University (CN), New York Botanical Garden (US), Universidad Autónoma de Chile (CL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (AR), University of Chicago (US), Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen (CN), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR), Ministry of Agriculture (BW), Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (CN), VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (BE), China National Biotechnology (China) (CN), South China Botanical Garden (CN), Institut Agro Montpelier (FR), Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (DE), Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (AR), ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture (AU), Institute of Botany (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Université Laval (CA), BGI Research (CN), Northeast Forestry University (CN), Universidad de Magallanes (CL), University of Pretoria (ZA), Hubei University (CN), Northwest A&F University (CN), Capital Normal University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Bryophyte Studies and Records
57.51
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