Evolution of Genome Size in Conifers

Conifers are the most widely distributed group of gymnosperms in the world. They have large genome size (1C-value) compared with most animal and plant species. The genome size ranges from ~6,500 Mb to ~37,000 Mb in conifers. How and why conifers have evolved such large genomes is not understood. The conifer genome contains ~75% highly repetitive DNA. Most of the repetitive DNA is composed of non-coding DNA, including ubiquitous transposable elements. Conifers have relatively larger rDNA repeat units, larger gene families generated by gene duplications, larger nuclear volume, and perhaps larger genes, as compared to angiosperm plants. These genomic components may partially account for the large genome size, as well as variation in genome size, in conifers. One of the major mechanisms for genome size expansion and evolution of species is polyploidy, which is widespread in angiosperms, but it is rare in conifers. There are only a few natural polyploids in one family of conifers, Cupressaceae. Other conifers, including well-studied pines, are nearly all diploids. Whether ancient polyploidy has played a role in the evolution of genome size in conifers still remains an open question. The mechanisms that account for the variation and evolution of genome size in conifers are addressed in this review.