Anatomical and genetic bases underlying the convergent evolution of fleshy and dry dehiscent fruits in and (Solanaceae).

The mechanisms controlling evolutionary shifts between dry and fleshy fruits in angiosperms are poorly understood. In Solanaceae, and represent cases of convergent evolution of fleshy and dry fruits, respectively. Here we study the anatomical and genetic bases of the independent origin of fleshy fruits in and the reversion to dry dehiscent fruits in . We also characterize the expression of candidate fruit development genes, including and . We identify anatomical changes to establish developmental stages in the ovary-to-fruit transition in and . We generate reference transcriptomes for both species, isolate homologs for all genes in the fruit genetic regulatory network (GRN) and perform gene expression analyses for and throughout fruit development. Finally, we compare our results to expression patterns found in typical capsules of and berries of available in public repositories. We have identified homologous, homoplasious and unique anatomical features in and fruits, resulting in their final appearance. Expression patterns suggest that , and might control homologous characteristics, while and likely contribute to homoplasious anatomical features. The fruit GRN changes considerably in these genera when compared to typical capsules and berries of Solanaceae, particularly in where expression of and is lacking.