The Igebelarra, key to plant evolution

2002/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Botanika

Most of the current terrestrial plants are angiosperms, that is, they have flowers, which appeared when they moved away from the gymnosperma or from their closest relatives without flowers (pine, cypress...), about 150 million years ago. So far, however, the way that step was taken has been a mystery to scientists.

According to biologists of the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the USA, the intermediate step can be the Nuphar polysepalcohol-igebelar or nenufar. In fact, one of the differences between the two groups is found in the endosperm of the seed: the first have three copies per chromosome, while the gymnosperms have only one. And as has now been known, the water lily has two copies per chromosome. Therefore, it seems that she is the key to evolution.