Research Expert (Ph.D. Studnet) Palaeobotany Research Group, Botany Research Division, Research Institute of Forests & Rangelands
10.22092/irn.2025.368501.1630
Abstract
Scientists have discovered one of the earliest examples of a winged seed, granting insight into the origin and early evolution of wind dispersal strategies in plants. The study, published today as the final Version of Record after previously appearing as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, details the second-earliest known winged seed -- Alasemenia -- from the Late Devonian epoch, roughly 360-385 million years ago. The authors use what the editors call solid mathematical analysis to demonstrate that Alasemenia's three-winged seeds are more adapted to wind dispersal than one, two and four-winged seeds. Wind dispersal in plant seeds is a natural mechanism that allows plants to spread their seeds through the air to new areas. This helps reduce competition for resources, increasing the plant's chances of survival. Examples of wind dispersal strategies include tumbleweeds, parachutes such as dandelions and milkweeds, and winged seeds like those of the maple tree, often called 'helicopter' seeds.
Liu, L., Yang, J., Wang, D., Zhou, Y., Xu, P., Qin, M. and Huang, P., 2024. Alasemenia, the earliest ovule with three wings and without cupule. eLife, 13. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.92962
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