I had heard of the similar Purple Earth Hypothesis[1] wherein organisms with photosynthesis based on retinal arose in the oceans early on. Chlorophyll-based life developed deeper and took advantage of the red and blue light that filtered through.
The hypothesis seems pretty speculative, but maybe it's compatible with this new research, which could explain why green plants came to dominate despite retinal being simpler.
The hypothesis seems pretty speculative, but maybe it's compatible with this new research, which could explain why green plants came to dominate despite retinal being simpler.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Earth_hypothesis