"Unveiling the Diverse Origins of Flower Symmetry in the Sunflower Family"
A new analysis of the sunflower family tree has revealed that flower symmetry evolved multiple times independently, a process known as convergent evolution. The study, led by a Penn State biologist, used low-coverage genome sequences to increase the number of species in the analysis, providing insight into how the sunflower family, which includes asters, daisies, and food crops, evolved. The research team also found that changes in the number of copies and expression patterns of the floral regulatory gene, CYC2, are likely related to the convergent evolution of flower symmetry in sunflowers. This knowledge could help identify useful traits for selectively breeding plants with more desirable characteristics.