Kharchenko V. Y.
Transformation of the structure of reproductive shoots in the divergence of the genus Anemone (Ranunculaceae)
Year: 2015, Issue: LXIII, Pages: 164 - 190
The paper is devoted to the problem of coordination between the data of molecular genetic and morphological studies, based on the analysis of vicarious species of Anemone aimed to refine genesis of elements of reproductive shoots of Anemone and figure up the trends of transformation of their structure during the divergence. Anemone is one of the genera in Rununculaceae, which belongs to basal angiosperm families. Therefore trends in transformation of the reproductive shoots structure of Anemone could be critical in the evolution of angiosperms. In total 24 species of Anemone have been studied following criteria: morphology, karyotype, ecology and biogeography. The data on molecular phylogenetic analysis were taken from published sources. We found that crucial for the development of structures of reproductive shoots of Anemone were: phyllotaxis, the existence of terminal flower on the top of the main shoot, the intensity of branching of lateral shoots. Flowers on shoots of investigated Anemone species were of three types: terminal, single, and without bracts. Species of Anemone have a common sequence of development, which is limited at different stages in various species. Reproductive shoots of A. flaccida and A. dichotoma var. dichotoma have dichotomous branching. If we assume that dichotomous branching of reproductive shoots of Anemone is of secondary origin in evolution, it can be regarded as adaptation. But if such branching had the primary origin, in this case the formation of flower on the top of the main shoot, which determined the transition to pseudodichotomous branching, can be regarded as aromorphosis. The results obtained in the course of molecular genetic studies are consistent with the data obtained by analysis of structures of reproductive shoots.