Integrating Fossil and Extant Species to Infer Character Evolution

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Guangxi Institute of Botany conducted a study on the evolution of the Cissampelideae tribe, a group of pantropical lianas with rich fossil records. The study aimed to understand the role of fossils in inferring evolutionary patterns of morphological characters. By reconstructing a dated phylogeny for 39 extant and 11 fossil species of Cissampelideae, the researchers found that incorporating fossil information changed ancestral-state inferences for six out of 24 endocarp characters. The study highlights the importance of integrating fossil and extant taxa to improve the inference of character evolution.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used a dated phylogeny for 39 extant and 11 fossil species of Cissampelideae to reconstruct the evolutionary patterns of endocarp characters.
  • The integration of fossil information changed ancestral-state inferences for six out of 24 endocarp characters.
  • The endocarp of the most recent common ancestor of Cissampelideae was characterized by unbroken short raised transversal ridges lower than unspiny dorsal crest.
  • Within Cissampelideae, the broken transversal ridge is derived from the unbroken transversal ridge, columnar protuberance is derived from the long raised transversal ridge, and the long raised transversal ridge are derived from the short raised transversal ridge.
  • The study found that endocarp transversal ridges of Cissampelideae show evolutionary trends of becoming fragmented and more elevated, which may be related to the adaptation of limestone karst environments.
  • The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Key Research and Development Program of China.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the Annals of Botany journal.

Statistics:

  • 39 extant and 11 fossil species of Cissampelideae were included in the study.
  • 24 endocarp characters were reconstructed and analyzed in the study.
  • 6 out of 24 endocarp characters showed changed ancestral-state inferences when fossil information was integrated.
  • 7 DNA regions were used to reconstruct the dated phylogeny.
  • The study was published in the Annals of Botany journal in 2025.

Sources:

  • The endocarp evolution of Cissampelideae (Menispermaceae): Integrating extant and fossil species. Annals of Botany, 2025.
  • Researchers' Work from Guangxi Institute of Botany Focuses on Botany [The endocarp evolution of Cissampelideae (Menispermaceae): Integrating extant and fossil species]. Life Science Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 6423.