While the cataclysmic event that occurred 66 million years ago led to widespread extinction, recent studies indicate that angiosperms, or flowering plants, were largely unscathed. Through extensive genetic analysis of a multitude of angiosperm species, it was found that many contemporary angiosperm families—such as those of magnolias and orchids—have evolutionary lineages that can be traced back to the era of the dinosaurs.
Emerging research delves into how the resilience of flowering plants allowed them to persevere through the extinction event 66 million years ago, thereby becoming the predominant plant category in modern times.
A comprehensive study executed by researchers at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico demonstrates that angiosperms were mostly shielded from the devastating consequences of the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. While some species were lost, this world-changing event was instrumental in propelling angiosperms to their current status as the preeminent form of plant life.
Over the course of Earth’s history, several mass extinction episodes have transpired. The most well-known among them was initiated by an asteroid collision 66 million years ago, which radically altered the course of biological existence on our planet.
The impact of the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event was severe, eliminating at least 75% of all Earth’s species, including the dinosaurs. Until recent studies, however, the consequences for angiosperms remained ambiguous.
Unlike most animals that possess skeletal structures, plants lack skeletons or exoskeletons. This makes fossil evidence of plants relatively scarce, complicating the effort to delineate their evolutionary chronology solely based on fossil data.
Dr. Jamie Thompson of the Milner Centre for Evolution and Dr. Santiago Ramírez-Barahona of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México examined phylogenetic trees, formulated from mutations in the DNA sequences of up to 73,000 extant angiosperm species.
Sophisticated statistical techniques were employed to fit “birth-death” models in order to gauge rates of extinction across geological epochs.
While the fossil evidence confirms the disappearance of numerous species, their corresponding higher-level taxonomic groups—such as families and orders—persisted adequately to thrive and dominate. Presently, of approximately 400,000 existing plant species, around 300,000 are angiosperms.
Molecular clock data suggests that most existing angiosperm families were already in existence prior to the K-Pg event. Species including precursors to today’s orchids, magnolias, and mints coexisted with dinosaurs.
Dr. Jamie Thompson remarked, “Following the mass extinction at the K-Pg boundary, angiosperms seized the opportunity, much like mammals did post-dinosaurs, and now essentially all terrestrial ecosystems are reliant on flowering plants.”
What attributes conferred such resilience on these plants, particularly considering their immobility and solar energy dependence?
Dr. Ramírez-Barahona posited, “Angiosperms possess an extraordinary adaptive capacity: they employ diverse seed-dispersal and pollination strategies, some have undergone genome duplication, while others have developed innovative photosynthetic techniques. This unique resilience underscores their status as nature’s ultimate survivors.”
Reference: “No Phylogenetic Evidence for Angiosperm Mass Extinction at the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K-Pg) Boundary” by Jamie B. Thompson and Santiago Ramírez-Barahona, published on 13 September 2023 in Biology Letters. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0314
The undertaking received financial support from benefactors Roger and Sue Whorrod.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Angiosperms and Mass Extinction
What is the main focus of the article?
The main focus of the article is on how angiosperms, commonly known as flowering plants, survived the mass extinction event that occurred 66 million years ago, which led to the eradication of the dinosaurs. The article presents findings from a recent study that investigated the evolutionary history and unique adaptations of angiosperms.
Who conducted the research discussed in the article?
The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico.
What methods were used in the research?
The researchers employed extensive genetic analysis and examined phylogenetic trees formulated from mutations in the DNA sequences of up to 73,000 extant species of angiosperms. They also utilized sophisticated statistical techniques to fit “birth-death” models to estimate rates of extinction throughout geological epochs.
What percentage of current plant species are angiosperms?
Approximately 300,000 out of around 400,000 existing plant species are angiosperms, according to the article.
What were some unique adaptations of angiosperms that contributed to their survival?
The unique adaptations of angiosperms include diverse seed-dispersal and pollination strategies, some species having undergone genome duplication, and others developing new ways to photosynthesize. These adaptations are part of what makes angiosperms nature’s true survivors.
Was the impact of the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event on angiosperms previously understood?
Until the recent studies, the impact of the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event on angiosperms remained ambiguous. This article sheds light on how these plants were mostly shielded from the devastating consequences of the event.
Who supported the research project?
The research project was financially supported by benefactors Roger and Sue Whorrod.
More about Angiosperms and Mass Extinction
- Understanding the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction Event
- Angiosperms: An Overview
- Methods in Phylogenetic Analysis
- University of Bath Research Publications
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Research
- Biology Letters Journal
- Molecular Clock Studies in Plants
6 comments
Its incredible how much we still don’t know about earth’s history. It took this long to figure out what happened to plants during that mass extinction? Wow.
This is amazing. It’s like plants have their own hidden superpowers. I mean genome duplication, new ways to photosynthesize? That’s next level survival skills.
I gotta say, the term “flower power” feels outta place in such a scientific article. But hey, if it makes the point, why not?
Does this mean if another mass extinction happens, the flowers will survive again? Just a thought.
Wow, who knew plants could be so resilient? Dinosaurs gone but flowers stayed. Kinda gives a new perspective on ‘survival of the fittest’, doesn’t it?
fascinating stuff. I’ve always wondered how plants could survive events that wiped out so many species. Props to the researchers for delving deep into this!