The integration of developmental genetics and evolution is providing a powerful synthesis towards understanding the mechanisms underlying the generation of biodiversity. Functional studies across the phylogenetic landscape are facilitating a comparative, integrative view highlighting that genes are mostly repurposed into new roles. I will present micro- and macro-evolutionary approaches on the evolutionary consequences of the emergence of novel traits in three distinct plant systems: an angiosperm, a gymnosperm and a fern.

Meiosis is a highly conserved eukaryotic cell division that produces gametes required for sexual reproduction. During meiosis, homologous chromosomes undergo recombination, which can result in reciprocal crossover and gene conversion. Meiosis and recombination have a profound effect on natural genetic variation and genome evolution, which in turn has strategic importance for crop breeding. I will present our work using genome-wide methods to map meiotic recombination, primarily in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.