Terrestrial productivity today is regulated by stomatal movements, but this has only been the case since "stomatophytes" became dominant on the land 390 million years ago. In this review, we examine evidence for the function of early stomata, found on or near the reproductive structures of bryophyte-like fossils, and consider how this function may have changed through time as vascular plants evolved and diversified. We explore the controversial insights that have come from observing natural variation, rather than genetic manipulation, as a primary tool for understanding the function of the stomatal valve system.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	stomatal regulation, evolution, plant water content, stomatophytes
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Plant biology
Research Field:	Plant physiology
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Other environmental management
Objective Field:	Other environmental management not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Brodribb, TJ (Professor Tim Brodribb)
UTAS Author:	McAdam, SAM (Dr Scott McAdam)
ID Code:	118168
Year Published:	2017
Web of Science® Times Cited:	110
Deposited By:	Plant Science
Deposited On:	2017-07-05
Last Modified:	2018-05-10
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