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Review
. 2019 Nov;224(3):1012-1020.
doi: 10.1111/nph.16137. Epub 2019 Sep 25.

Gazing into the anthosphere: considering how microbes influence floral evolution

María Rebolleda-Gómez  1   2 , Nicole J Forrester  1 , Avery L Russell  1 , Na Wei  1 , Andrea M Fetters  1 , Jessica D Stephens  1 , Tia-Lynn Ashman  1
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Gazing into the anthosphere: considering how microbes influence floral evolution

María Rebolleda-Gómez et al. New Phytol. 2019 Nov.
Free article

Abstract

The flower is the hallmark of angiosperms and its evolution is key to their diversification. As knowledge of ecological interactions between flowers and their microbial communities (the anthosphere) expands, it becomes increasingly important to consider the evolutionary impacts of these associations and their potential eco-evolutionary dynamics. In this Viewpoint we synthesize current knowledge of the anthosphere within a multilevel selection framework and illustrate the potential for the extended floral phenotype (the phenotype expressed from the genes of the plant and its associated flower microbes) to evolve. We argue that flower microbes are an important, but understudied, axis of variation that shape floral trait evolution and angiosperm reproductive ecology. We highlight knowledge gaps and discuss approaches that are critical for gaining a deeper understanding of the role microbes play in mediating plant reproduction, ecology, and evolution.

Keywords: anthosphere; bacteria; floral evolution; microbiome; multilevel selection; nectar yeast; pollinators; volatiles.

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