In a groundbreaking study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS), researchers Filip Kolář from Charles University and Patrick Meirmans from the University of Amsterdam have unveiled the unpredictable effects of genome duplication on plant ecological niches. This research highlights the complex role of polyploidization—a process crucial to plant evolution and agriculture—on the ecological requirements of plant species.
The study analyzed over 25,000 geographically localized records across 129 species of flowering plants, examining the impact of varying chromosome sets on climatic niches. Surprisingly, the findings revealed no consistent pattern in how genome duplication influences these niches, challenging long-held assumptions in the field.
Unraveling the Complexity of Genome Duplication
Genome duplication, or polyploidization, is recognized as one of the most extensive DNA mutations in plants and animals. It is pivotal in both agricultural practices and the conservation of genetic diversity. However, as Filip Kolář from the Department of Botany at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, explains, the specific effects of this process on plant distribution are not easily predictable.
“In general, the main finding is that genome duplication in plants affects where plants grow,” Kolář stated. “But the specific direction of the effect is not easy to predict—each species behaves somewhat differently.”
This revelation is particularly noteworthy as it contradicts the assumption that polyploid plants typically colonize mountain environments or drier areas. The study’s results, therefore, represent a rare publication of a negative result, which is unusual in scientific research.
Meta-Analysis and Open Science
The research conducted by Kolář and Meirmans is a meta-analysis of field data collected by numerous teams worldwide. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of partial case studies and the benefits of open science, which is gaining traction in the global scientific community.
“The work is a meta-analysis of published field data gathered by dozens of teams worldwide, and it clearly illustrates the importance of even partial case studies and the benefit of the open science approach,” Kolář added.
Despite the study showing that 74% of the species exhibited significant differences in climatic niches between different ploidy levels, no single climatic factor consistently explained these variations across all species. This finding challenges the notion that polyploids generally possess broader ecological tolerance and wider distribution ranges.
Implications for Biodiversity and Climate Change
The implications of this study are far-reaching, particularly in the fields of biodiversity research and climate change predictions. Understanding ploidy variation is crucial for ecological studies, as it may significantly influence how species distributions are modeled in response to changing climates.
As the scientific community continues to explore the complexities of genome duplication, this study serves as a reminder of the intricate and often unpredictable nature of evolutionary processes. The results call for a more nuanced approach to studying plant ecology and evolution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive data and open collaboration among researchers.
For those interested in further details, the full study can be accessed through PNAS: Meirmans, P. G., & Kolář, F. (2025). Whole genome duplication leads to significant but inconsistent changes in climatic niche.
