The article details a comprehensive genomic analysis of land plants. The research, which included 123 newly sequenced bryophyte genomes, discovered that bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) possess a significantly greater diversity of gene families compared to vascular plants. This extensive genetic repertoire, consisting of a higher number of unique and accessory gene families, is attributed to extensive new gene formation—including de novo origination from noncoding regions—and continuous horizontal transfer of microbial genes throughout their evolutionary history. The study concludes that this rich and diverse genetic toolkit likely underlies the ecological adaptability and long-term survival of bryophytes across various environments over the past 500 million years. The source includes detailed information on phylogenetic relationships, gene family composition, and the functional implications of horizontally acquired genes in processes like stress response and defense against pathogens and herbivores.

References:

• Dong S, Wang S, Li L, et al. Bryophytes hold a larger gene family space than vascular plants[J]. Nature Genetics, 2025: 1-8.