Evolutionary persistence in Gunnera and the contribution of southern plant groups to the tropical Andes biodiversity hotspot

Bacon, Christine D.Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (author)

Several studies have demonstrated the contribution of northern immigrants to the flora of the tropical Andesthe world's richest and most diverse biodiversity hotspot. However, much less is known about the biogeographic history and diversification of Andean groups with southern origins, although it has been suggested that northern and southern groups have contributed roughly equally to the high Andean (i.e., páramo) flora. Here we infer the evolutionary history of the southern hemisphere plant genus Gunnera, a lineage with a rich fossil history and an important ecological role as an early colonising species characteristic of wet, montane environments. Our results show striking contrasts in species diversification, where some species may have persisted for some 90 million years, and whereas others date to less than 2 Ma since origination. The outstanding longevity of the group is likely linked to a high degree of niche conservatism across its highly disjunct range, whereby Gunnera tracks damp and boggy soils in cool habitats. Colonisation of the northern Andes is related to Quaternary climate change, with subsequent rapid diversification appearing to be driven by their ability to take advantage of environmental opportunities. This study demonstrates the composite origin of a mega-diverse biota.

Velásquez-Puentes, F. J. (author)
Hinojosa, L. F. (author)
Schwartz, ThomasGothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences(Swepub:gu)xschwt (author)
Oxelman, Bengt,1958Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences(Swepub:gu)xoxebe (author)
Pfeil, Bernard E.,1975Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences(Swepub:gu)xpfebe (author)
Arroyo, M. T. K. (author)
Wanntorp, L. (author)
Antonelli, Alexandre,1978Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences(Swepub:gu)xantal (author)
Göteborgs universitetInstitutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap (creator_code:org_t)

By the author/editor: Bacon, Christine ...; Velásquez-Puente ...; Hinojosa, L. F.; Schwartz, Thomas; Oxelman, Bengt, ...; Pfeil, Bernard E ...; show more...; Arroyo, M. T. K.; Wanntorp, L.; Antonelli, Alexa ...; show less...

About the subject

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Earth and Relate ...; and Climate Research

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Earth and Relate ...; and Physical Geograp ...

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