title: The origin of land plants: a matter of mycotrophism.
abstract: It is hypothesized that terrestrial plants are the product of an ancient and continuing symbiosis of a semi-aquatic ancestral green alga and an aquatic fungus-an oomycete. The Siluro-Devonian "explosive" colonization of land, and indeed the very evolution of plants, was possible only through such mutualistic partnerships-partnerships that were equipped to cope with the problems of desiccation and starvation associated with terrestrial existence.
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D005618:Fresh Water; D005658:Fungi; D009868:Oomycetes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis; D063245:Plant Development; D010944:Plants; D012623:Seawater; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology