C 4 photosynthesis evolved in warm climates but promoted migration to cooler ones

C photosynthesis is considered an adaptation to warm climates, where its functional benefits are greatest and C plants achieve their highest diversity and dominance. However, whether inherent physiological barriers impede the persistence of C species in cool environments remains debated. Here, we us...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecology letters 2018-03, Vol.21 (3), p.376-383
Main Authors: Watcharamongkol, Teera, Christin, Pascal-Antoine, Osborne, Colin P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acclimatization
Photosynthesis
Phylogeny
Plant Physiological Phenomena
Plants
Poaceae
Temperature
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Summary:C photosynthesis is considered an adaptation to warm climates, where its functional benefits are greatest and C plants achieve their highest diversity and dominance. However, whether inherent physiological barriers impede the persistence of C species in cool environments remains debated. Here, we use large grass phylogenetic and geographical distribution data sets to test whether (1) temperature influences the rate of C origins, (2) photosynthetic types affect the rate of migration among climatic zones, and (3) C evolution changes the breadth of the temperature niche. Our analyses show that C photosynthesis in grasses originated in tropical climates, and that C grasses were more likely to colonise cold climates. However, migration rates among tropical and temperate climates were higher in C grasses. Therefore, while the origins of C photosynthesis were concentrated in tropical climates, its physiological benefits across a broad temperature range expanded the niche into warmer climates and enabled diversification into cooler environments.
ISSN:1461-023X
1461-0248
DOI:10.1111/ele.12905