Robustness and the generalist niche of polyploid species: Genome shock or gradual evolution?

The prevalence of polyploidy in wild and crop species has stimulated debate over its evolutionary advantages and dis-advantages. Previous studies have focused on changes occurring at the polyploidization events, including genome-wide changes termed genome shock, as well as ancient polyploidy. Recent bioinformatics advances and empirical studies of Arabidopsis and wheat relatives are filling a research gap: the functional evolutionary study of polyploid species using RNA-seq, DNA polymorphism, and epige-nomics. Polyploid species can become generalists in natura through environmental robustness by inheriting and merging parental stress responses. Their evolvability is enhanced by mutational robustness working on inherited standing variation. The identification of key genes responsible for gradual adap-tive evolution will encourage synthetic biological approaches to transfer polyploid advantages to other species.

Automated summary

The prevalence of polyploidy in wild and crop species has sparked debates over its evolutionary advantages and disadvantages. Recent advancements in bioinformatics and empirical studies have allowed for a better understanding of the functional evolutionary study of polyploid species. Polyploid species can enhance their adaptability through inheriting parental stress responses and mutational robustness, and can even become generalists in nature. Identifying key genes responsible for gradual adaptive evolution will pave the way for synthetic biological approaches to transfer the advantages of polyploidy to other species.