Abstract
Summary Eudicot leaves have astoundingly diverse shapes. The central problem addressed in this paper is the developmental origin of this diversity.To investigate this problem, we propose a computational model of leaf development that generalizes the largely conserved molecular program for the reference plants Arabidopsis thaliana, Cardamine hirsuta and Solanum lycopersicum. The model characterizes leaf development as a product of three interwoven processes: the patterning of serrations, lobes and/or leaflets on the leaf margin; the patterning of the vascular system; and the growth of the leaf blade spanning the main veins. The veins play a significant morphogenetic role as a local determinant of growth directions.We show that small variations of this model can produce diverse leaf shapes, from simple to lobed to compound.It is thus plausible that diverse shapes of eudicot leaves result from small variations of a common developmental program.
Highlights
Leaves of eudicots show tremendous morphological diversity (Fig. 1)
Different leaf morphologies may occur between closely related species, as within-species variants, or even in the same plant (Kidner & Umbreen, 2010; Nicotra et al, 2011). These differences are illustrated by numerous case studies including the leaves of Pelargonium (Nicotra et al, 2007; Jones et al, 2009), grape vine (Vitis spp.) (Chitwood et al, 2014, 2016), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) (Nuez et al, 2004), and the poppy family (Gleissberg, 2004)
Diverse leaf shapes emerge in molecularlevel studies of reference plants including Arabidopsis thaliana, Cardamine hirsuta and tomato, where small genetic or hormonal changes yield significantly different forms
Summary
Leaves of eudicots show tremendous morphological diversity (Fig. 1). They can be simple or dissected, that is, partitioned into distinct leaflets, and have margins that are entire (smooth) or have teeth, lobes or sinuses of varying shape and depth (see Supporting Information Fig. S1 for related terminology). Diverse leaf shapes emerge in molecularlevel studies of reference plants including Arabidopsis thaliana, Cardamine hirsuta and tomato, where small genetic or hormonal changes yield significantly different forms (reviewed by Bar & Ori, 2014; Koenig & Sinha, 2010; Scarpella et al, 2010). This lability of shapes, juxtaposed with similar molecular mechanisms underlying leaf development in reference plants, suggests that the striking diversity of eudicot leaves results from variations of a common generative program (Burko & Ori, 2013)
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