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Some aspects of the evolution of C4 photosynthesis

Einige Aspekte der Evolution des C4-Weges der Photosynthese

Некоторые аспекты эволюции C4-нути фотосинтеза

  • N. I. Vavilov — Symposium Zum 100. Geburtstag Von N.I. Vavilov Gatersleben, 8.–10. Dezember 1987
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Summary

C4 photosynthesis occurs in at least 18 families of angiosperms. To our current knowledge it is lacking among the gymnosperms.

It seems to be appropriate assuming a polyphyletic origin of this syndrome of anatomical and metabolical traits during the course of angiosperm evolution, e. g. since the Cretaceaous period.

C4 photosynthesis per se is an adaptation of plants to hot and dry environments or in some cases to salinity.

Speculations about number and sequence of steps during the evolution of C4 species from ancestors with C3 photosynthesis should be based on careful comparisons of anatomical as well as biochemical features of related species with different photosynthetic pathways. Thinking about evolutionary problems with regard to C4 photosynthesis was much influenced by the discovery of C3–C4 intermediate species. These were thought to be on the way of evolution from C3 to C4 photosynthesis. Best investigated is the genusFlaveria (Asteraceae), which contains C3, C4 and C3–C4 intermediate species, respectively. Therefore a detailed description of the situation within this genus is given.

The genetic distance between C3 and C4 and the driving forces for selection of C4 genotypes in a given environment has to be elucidated by further investigations. Among those the analysis of hybrids between C3 and C4 species of the genusFlaveria may be a helpful approach.

Zusammenfassung

Vertreter des C4-Weges der Photosynthese sind von mindestens 18 Familien der Angiospermen bekannt. Innerhalb der Gymnospermen kommt dieser Photo-synthesetyp nicht vor.

Auf Grund der systematischen Verbreitung des C4-Syndroms muß ein poly-phyletischer Ursprung angenommen werden.

C4-Photosynthese ist eine Anpassung der Pflanzen an heiße und aride Bedingungen und in einigen Fällen an hohe Salzgehalte.

Abschätzungen über die Zahl und Sequenz der Mutationen während der Evolution von C4-Arten sollten basieren auf einem sorgfältigen Vergleich anatomischer und biochemischer Eigenschaften verwandter C3- und C4-Arten. Sie können allerdings nur einen groben Anhaltspunkt liefern.

C3-C4 intermediäre Arten können aufgefaßt werden als Zwischenglieder der Evolution von der C3- zur C4-Photosynthese. Arten der GattungFlaveria sind hier besonders gut untersuchte Beispiele.

Auch die Analyse von Hybriden zwischen C3- und C4-Arten vermag einen gewissen Aufschluß über die genetische Distanz zwischen Vertretern der beiden Photosynthesetypen zu geben.

Es werden einige Überlegungen über Mechanismen der Evolution des C4-Syndroms angestellt.

Краткое содержание

Иредставители C4-иути фотосинтеза известны, самое меньшее, у 18 семейств иокрытосеменных. Среди голосеменных этот тин фотосинтеза не существует.

На основе систематического распространения C4-синдрома, следует иредиоложить полифилетическое происхождение.

C4-фотосинтез является проявлением приснособления растений к жарким, сухим условиям и, в некоторых случаях, к высокой засоленности.

Оценки о числе и последовательности мутаций во время эволюции C4-видов должны основываться на тщательном сравнении анатомических и биохимических свойств подственных C3- и C4-видов. Однако, они могут иредоставить лишь грубую исходную точку.

C3–C4 промежуточные виды следует ионимать как промежуточные члены эволюции C3- и C4-фотосинтеза. Виды родаFlaveria представляют здесь особо хорошо изученные примеры.

Анализы гибридов между C3- и C4-видами могут также дать оиределенной объяснение о генетической дистанции между представителями обоих фотосинтетических типов.

Делаются некоторые размышления о механизме эволюции C4-снидрома.

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Apel, P. Some aspects of the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. Die Kulturpflanze 36, 225–236 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01986962

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