Scientists have explained the record-breaking speed of cactus evolution

Cacti, despite their reputation as slow-growing plants, have proven to be one of the fastest-evolving organisms on Earth. Biologists from the University of Reading have found out that the rate of appearance of new species in cacti is determined not by the size of the flower, but by how quickly its shape changes. This was reported on May 13 in the journal Science Daily.

The researchers analyzed data on flower length in more than 750 cactus species. The spread turned out to be huge: from flowers two millimeters long to giant inflorescences of 37 cm — a difference of 185 times.

Despite this range, the size of the flower had almost nothing to do with the rate of appearance of new species. But the rate of change in its shape was. Species whose flower shape changed faster were much more likely to generate new branches on the evolutionary tree. This pattern has been traced both in the recent history of the family and in the deep past.

Dangerous weed is illegal: the land plot will no longer be taken away because of the hogweed

Hogweed is no longer considered a sign of land abandonment

The results contradict the idea that Darwin had developed using orchids as an example: that highly specialized flowers are the main engine of speciation. Cacti have a different structure.

Thompson added that the discovery changes the approach to nature conservation. The rate of evolution of a species can serve as an indicator of its vulnerability: those whose flowers have changed slowly are at risk of not being able to cope with the pace of climate change. About a third of the approximately 1,850 known cactus species are already endangered.

On April 6, Marina Tatarenko, a biologist and lecturer at the Department of Teaching Methods of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the State University of Enlightenment, said that in order to grow sakura in a suburban area, it is necessary to place an ornamental tree in an uncontaminated illuminated place that will be protected from strong winds. She also noted that the Russian climate allows you to grow many types of cherry trees, and the rules of care are slightly different from plums or cherries.