Maize Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 218-227 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 225 factor in population divergence and speciation within the genus. This study also provided consistent estimates of divergence times, suggesting rapid diversification within the last 150 000 years. Building on these findings, several potential areas of investigation emerge. Further exploration of the rates and patterns of microstructural changes across a broader range of Zea species could provide deeper insights into the mechanisms driving genomic evolution in this genus. Additionally, investigating the role of gene flow in more detail, particularly how cultivated maize may facilitate gene flow among wild taxa, could enhance understanding of the evolutionary dynamics within Zea. Another promising area is the examination of adaptive and purifying selection at nonsynonymous sites across different Zea species, which could shed light on the selective pressures shaping the genomes of these plants. Integrating data from nuclear, mitochondrial, and plastid genomes in a comprehensive phylogenomic framework could offer a more holistic view of the evolutionary history and relationships within Zea. Continued research in Zea phylogenomics is crucial for several reasons. Understanding the evolutionary relationships and divergence within this genus not only provides insights into the history and adaptation of these species but also has practical implications for agriculture and conservation. As Zea mays (maize) is a staple crop worldwide, knowledge of its genetic diversity and evolutionary history can inform breeding programs aimed at improving crop resilience and productivity. Moreover, studying the wild relatives of maize can reveal valuable genetic resources that may be harnessed for crop improvement. The findings from phylogenomic studies also contribute to the broader understanding of plant evolution and the processes driving speciation and adaptation. Therefore, continued research in this field is essential for advancing both basic and applied plant sciences. Acknowledgments CropSci Publisher thanks the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions that greatly improved the manuscript. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The author affirms that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Aguirre-Liguori J.A., Gaut B.S., Jaramillo‐Correa J.P., Tenaillon M.I., Montes-Hernández S., García-Oliva F., Hearne S.J., and Eguiarte L.E., 2019, Divergence with gene flow is driven by local adaptation to temperature and soil phosphorus concentration in teosinte subspecies (Zea mays parviglumis and Zeamays mexicana), Molecular Ecology, 28(11): 2814-2830. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15098 PMID: 30980686 Allio R., Scornavacca C., Benoit, N., Clamens, A.L., Sperling F.A., and Condamine F.L., 2019, Whole genome shotgun phylogenomics resolves the pattern and timing of swallowtail butterfly evolution, Systematic Biology, 69(1): 38-60. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syz030 PMID: 31062850 Chen X.H., Qi X.H., and Xu X.W., 2024, From ancestors to modern cultivars: tracing the origin, evolution, and genetic progress in cucurbitaceae, Molecular Plant Breeding, 15(3): 112-131. https://doi.org/10.5376/mpb.2024.15.0013 Curry H., 2020, Taxonomy, race science, and mexican maize, Isis, 112(1): 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1086/713819 Delsuc F., Brinkmann H., and Philippe H., 2005, Phylogenomics and the reconstruction of the tree of life, Nature Reviews Genetics, 6(5): 361-375. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg1603 Dermastia M., Kladnik A., Koce J.D., and Chourey P., 2009, A cellular study of teosinte Zea mays subsp. parviglumis (Poaceae) caryopsis development showing several processes conserved in maize, American Journal of Botany, 96(10): 1798-807. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.0900059 PMID: 21622300 Diepenbrock C.H,, Tang T., Jines M., Technow F., Lira S., Podlich D., Cooper M., and Messina C., 2021, Can we harness digital technologies and physiology to hasten genetic gain in united states maize breeding?, Plant Physiology, 188(2): 1141-1157. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiab527. PMID: 34791474 PMCID: PMC8825268
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