Plants Survived Mass Extinctions by Doubling Their Genomes

A study published May 8, 2026, in the journal Cell reveals that flowering plants may have survived some of the most extreme environmental upheavals in Earth’s history through a biological mechanism known as whole-genome duplication. This natural phenomenon provided a genetic advantage that helped many species persist during catastrophic events, including the asteroid strike 66 million years ago.

Most organisms carry two sets of chromosomes, inheriting one from each parent. However, many species of flowering plants carry additional sets of chromosomes resulting from random whole-genome duplications. This process creates extra copies of genetic instructions, which can serve as a critical buffer during periods of intense ecological stress.

The Evolutionary Advantage of Genetic Redundancy

While additional genome copies might seem redundant, researchers found that this duplication acts as an evolutionary gamble. In stable environments, these duplications are often seen as an evolutionary dead end. However, when environments become volatile, the extra genetic material can provide the flexibility needed for a species to adapt to rapid changes.

Yves Van de Peer of Ghent University in Belgium, an author of the study, explained the duality of this genetic trait.

Whole-genome duplication is often seen as an evolutionary dead end in stable environments, But in harsh situations, it can provide unexpected advantages.

Yves Van de Peer, Ghent University

This genetic redundancy allows plants to experiment with new functions for their duplicated genes without losing the original, essential instructions required for survival. This capability became particularly vital during the K-Pg extinction event.

Survival During the K-Pg Extinction

Approximately 66 million years ago, an asteroid roughly the size of Mount Everest struck Earth. The resulting devastation wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs and approximately one-third of all life on the planet. Despite the global collapse of ecosystems, a significant number of flowering plants survived.

The research indicates that accidental genome duplications were a key factor in this survival. By possessing multiple sets of chromosomes, these plants were better equipped to handle the extreme environmental shifts that followed the impact.

The study analyzed whole-genome duplications (WGDs) across various plant families to track these events through geological periods, including the Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene. For example, the Brassicaceae family was identified as having five WGDs, one of which was present in the lineage of the family’s most recent common ancestor.

Implications for Modern Climate Change

Beyond understanding ancient extinctions, the findings have implications for the current era. As the planet experiences rapid climate changes, the inherent ability of some plants to duplicate their genomes may once again provide a survival advantage.

This biological strategy allows plants to adapt more quickly to shifting temperatures and atmospheric conditions than species with a more rigid, diploid genetic structure. Understanding the mechanics of polyploidy—the condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes—could provide insights into which plant species are most likely to withstand modern environmental instability.