Plant macromolecular systematics in the past 50 years: one view

Authors
Citation
Dj. Crawford, Plant macromolecular systematics in the past 50 years: one view, TAXON, 49(3), 2000, pp. 479-501
Citations number
134
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Review
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
TAXON
ISSN journal
0040-0262 → ACNP
Volume
49
Issue
3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
479 - 501
Database
ISI
SICI code
0040-0262(200008)49:3<479:PMSITP>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
An overview of plant macromolecular systematics during the period 1950-2000 is presented. The general Vend during this period has been from secondary compounds (not included in this review) to proteins and then to DNA. Amino acid sequencing of proteins from the 1960s through the 1970s, while having very little lasting impact on plant phylogeny, raised a number of issues th at continue to be discussed. Enzyme electrophoresis has provided data at th e population and lowest taxonomic levels, and has stimulated discussions an d studies on the tempo and mode of speciation. DNA data, initially from res triction sites and subsequently from sequencing, have been employed extensi vely in generating phylogenies for groups ranging from species and genera u p to plants as a whole. Despite the potential, molecular data have been use d infrequently to study evolutionary processes and speciation. Phylogenies generated from molecular data provide the necessary framework for such inve stigations. The incorporation of molecular data has had a positive stimulat ory effect on plant systematics during the past five decades, but the resul ts of molecular studies are of greatest value when they are part of more br oadly-based investigations that include more "traditional" approaches such as field and chromosomal studies. However, one of the side effects of incre ased emphasis on molecular systematics has been less emphasis on "tradition al" systematic studies. Hopefully, the next five decades will witness a mel ding of the old and new to continue the "unending synthesis" that makes sys tematics such a vital discipline in plant biology.