Genome size and developmental complexity

Haploid genome size (C-value) is correlated positively with cell size, and negatively with cell division rate, in a variety of taxa. Because these associations are causative, genome size has the potential to impact (and in turn, be influenced by) organism-level characters affected by variation in ei...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Genetica 2002-05, Vol.115 (1), p.131-146
Main Author: Gregory, T Ryan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphibians - embryology
Amphibians - growth & development
Animals
Brain - embryology
Brain - growth & development
Cell division
Eukaryotic Cells
Fishes - embryology
Fishes - growth & development
Genome
Insecta - embryology
Insecta - growth & development
Larva - genetics
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis, Biological - genetics
Plant Development
Plants - embryology
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Summary:Haploid genome size (C-value) is correlated positively with cell size, and negatively with cell division rate, in a variety of taxa. Because these associations are causative, genome size has the potential to impact (and in turn, be influenced by) organism-level characters affected by variation in either of these cell-level parameters. One such organismal feature is development. Developmental rate, in particular, has been associated with genome size in numerous plant, vertebrate, and invertebrate groups. However, rate is only one side of the developmental coin; the other important component is complexity. When developmental complexity is held essentially constant, as among many plants, developmental rate is the visibly relevant parameter. In this case, genome size can impose thresholds on developmental lifestyle (and vice versa), as among annual versus perennial plants. When developmental rate is constrained (as during time-limited amphibian metamorphosis), complexity becomes the notable variable. An appreciation for this rate-complexity interaction has so far been lacking, but is essential for an understanding of the relationships between genome size and development. Moreover, such an expanded view may help to explain patterns of variation in taxa as diverse as insects and fish. In each case, a hierarchical approach is necessary which recognizes the complex interaction of evolutionary processes operating at several levels of biological organization.
ISSN:0016-6707
1573-6857
DOI:10.1023/A:1016032400147