From the desert it came: evolution of the Australian paper daisy genus Leucochrysum (Asteraceae, Gnaphalieae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander N. Schmidt-Lebuhn ◽  
Kiarrah J. Smith

Present patterns of diversity in the Australian flora have been shaped by increasing seasonality since the Eocene, and by pronounced aridification in the past 3 million years. Arid-zone plants are commonly hypothesised to be the products of radiations of ancestrally temperate or coastal lineages, as in the case of the everlasting paper daisy tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteraceae). However, these inferences are often based on higher-level phylogenies, whereas evolutionary processes in the Australian Gnaphalieae have rarely been studied at the species level. Here, we reconstructed the phylogeny and biogeographic history of the small, but ecologically diverse, paper daisy genus Leucochrysum, to examine recent habitat shifts and character changes, at the same time exploring the feasibility of using amplicon sequencing of low-copy nuclear gene regions to resolve phylogenetic relationships in Australian Gnaphalieae. On the balance of evidence, outgroup comparison and ancestral-area reconstruction support an ancestral range in the arid zone with subsequent diversification towards the south-east, demonstrating a complex evolutionary history with a re-colonisation of temperate areas. Low amplification success rates suggest that methods other than amplicon sequencing of currently available primers will be more promising for molecular phylogenetic work at a larger scale.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel A. Huey ◽  
Mia J. Hillyer ◽  
Mark S. Harvey

In Australia, climate change and continental drift have given rise to a complex biota comprising mesic specialists, arid-adapted lineages, and taxa that have arrived on the continent from Asia. We explore the phylogenetic diversity and biogeographic history of the Australian trapdoor spider genus Conothele Thorell, 1878 that is widespread in Australia’s monsoonal tropics and arid zone. We sequenced three mtDNA and five nuDNA markers from 224 specimens. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships among specimens and estimated the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using species delimitation methods. The timing of divergences was estimated and ancestral area reconstructions were conducted. We recovered 61 OTUs, grouped into four major clades; a single clade represented by an arboreal ecomorph, and three fossorial clades. The Australian Conothele had a crown age of ~19 million years, and ancestral area reconstructions showed a complex history with multiple transitions among the monsoonal tropics, central arid zone, south-west and Pilbara bioregion. Conothele arrived on the continent during periods of biotic exchange with Asia. Since then, Conothele has colonised much of the Australian arid and monsoonal zones, during a period of climatic instability. The Pilbara bioregion harbours high lineage diversity, emphasising the role of climate refugia.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Pan ◽  
Guiyou Wu ◽  
Xing Kang ◽  
Peng Yan ◽  
Izaz Ali ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Species are the cornerstone in many domains of biology research, which made the accurate species delimitation became critically important. In this study, the systematics and biogeography of the Hyla chinensis -group were analyzed based on phylogeny, species delimitation and ancestral area reconstruction methods.Results The phylogenetic results showed six specific clusters existed in the H. chinensis- group. BPP analysis indicated that six distinct species exist due to the high probability values (>0.95), which were also supported by the BF analysis. The divergence time of the H. chinensis -group is estimated to date back to 18.84 Mya in the early Miocene. Combining the results of ancestral area reconstruction, the H. chinensis -group might have originated from Guangxi-Hainan, then spread eastwardly and reached Nanling mountains, Wuyi mountains, Huangshan mountains and Taiwan. In rightabout colonization, it is gradually extended to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Sichuan basin, Qinling mountains and Dabie mountains. Considering the geological movement from early Miocene to Pliocene, the colonization pattern of the H. chinensis -group maybe closely related to the progressive uplift of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and historical climate change.Conclusions Our study provides evidence for species delimitation and speciation process within the H. chinensis -group. Our study supports the hypothesis that the evolutionary divergence in this species group was a consequence of the progressive uplift of QTP and environmental change.


2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1662) ◽  
pp. 1575-1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Verneau ◽  
Louis H Du Preez ◽  
Véronique Laurent ◽  
Liliane Raharivololoniaina ◽  
Frank Glaw ◽  
...  

Polystomatid flatworms are parasites of high host specificity, which mainly infect amphibian hosts. Only one polystome species has so far been recorded from Madagascar despite the high species richness and endemicity of amphibians on this island. Out of the 86 screened Malagasy frog species, we recovered polystomes from 25 in the families Ptychadenidae and Mantellidae. Molecular phylogenetic analysis uncovered an unexpected diversity of polystome species belonging to two separate clades: one forming a lineage within the genus Metapolystoma , with one species in Ptychadena and several species in the mantellid host genera Aglyptodactylus and Boophis ; and the second corresponding to an undescribed genus that was found in the species of the subfamily Mantellinae in the family Mantellidae. The phylogenetic position of the undescribed genus along with molecular dating suggests that it may have colonized Madagascar in the Late Mesozoic or Early Cainozoic. By contrast, the more recent origin of Metapolystoma in Madagascar at ca 14–2 Myr ago strongly suggests that the ancestors of Ptychadena mascareniensis colonized Madagascar naturally by overseas dispersal, carrying their Metapolystoma parasites. Our findings provide a striking example of how parasite data can supply novel insights into the biogeographic history of their hosts.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 2019001
Author(s):  
Jennifer Nowak ◽  
Andrew Sweet ◽  
Jason Weckstein ◽  
Kevin Johnson

Fruit doves and their allies are a diverse group within the pigeon and dove family (Aves: Columbidae). Progress towards subfamilial classification of Columbidae relies on identifying major groups and the phylogenetic relationships within these groups. One such recently proposed group is the Raphinae based on previous evidence that the extinct dodo is potentially within what was formerly recognized as the Treroninae (fruit doves and allies). Although several studies have explored the phylogenetic relationships within Columbidae, most have focused either on broad-scale, familial level relationships or finer scale, species level relationships. Here we use mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences from a diverse taxonomic sample to identify relationships among the genera and species of fruit doves and their allies. In particular our goal is to identify which of these genera should be included within Raphinae (the name which has taxonomic priority over Treroninae), focusing on an inclusive, well-supported monophyletic group. We also use dense taxon sampling to explore relationships among genera and species in this group, expanding on previous studies. In addition, we use resulting phylogenetic hypotheses to reconstruct the ancestral evolutionary history of foraging mode and biogeographic patterns of dispersal within the group. We used two data sets for our phylogenetic analysis: the first consisting of novel sequences generated for this project and the second with additional, previously published sequences from the fruit dove genus (Ptilinopus). Our analyses found support for the monophyly of a clade that contains a large fraction of the genera currently classified within Raphinae and also found several well-supported clades within this group of pigeons and doves. Character reconstruction methods based on the resulting phylogeny recover multiple transitions from a terrestrial to an arboreal foraging mode and evidence for multiple dispersal events from Asia to Africa throughout the history of the clade.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241231
Author(s):  
Joel H. Nitta ◽  
Atsushi Ebihara ◽  
Alan R. Smith

Floristic surveys are crucial to the conservation of biodiversity, but the vast majority of such surveys are limited to listing species names, and few take into account the evolutionary history of species. Here, we combine classical taxonomic and molecular phylogenetic (DNA barcoding) approaches to catalog the biodiversity of pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes) of the Nectandra Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica. Surveys were carried out over three field seasons (2008, 2011, and 2013), resulting in 176 species representing 69 genera and 22 families of pteridophytes. Our literature survey of protected areas in Costa Rica shows that Nectandra has an exceptionally diverse pteridophyte flora for its size. Plastid rbcL was selected as a DNA barcode marker and obtained for >95% of pteridophyte taxa at this site. Combined molecular and morphological analyses revealed two previously undescribed taxa that appear to be of hybrid origin. The utility of rbcL for species identification was assessed by calculating minimum interspecific distances and found to have a failure rate of 18%. Finally we compared the distribution of minimum interspecific rbcL distances with two other areas that have been the focus of pteridophyte molecular surveys: Japan and Tahiti. The comparison shows that Nectandra is more similar to Japan than Tahiti, which may reflect the biogeographic history of these floras.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda de Faria Santos ◽  
Eliana Marques Cancello ◽  
Adriana Coletto Morales

Abstract The neotropical region ranks third in the number of termites with five different families. Of these, Termitidae is the most diverse and includes the species Nasutitermes ephratae and is common in the neotropics. To date, only one study has been published about phylogeographic issues in neotropical termites (N. corniger). Here, we aimed to investigate and analyze the population genetic patterns of N. ephratae and then evaluated the phylogeographical processes involved in the evolutionary history of the species. We used the mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COII as molecular markers: These were sequenced for 128 samples of N. ephratae. We estimated the genetic diversity and divergence time as well as the demographic and genetic structure analyses. We also produced ancestral area reconstruction and a haplotype network. The results showed high genetic variability, recent demographic expansion, and strong genetic structure. We also inferred a dispersal route for the species that occurred in both directions between South and Central America. The results emphasize a temporary separation between the South and Central America population that affected the origin of the current Central America populations. These were formed form different phylogeographic histories.


2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Byrne ◽  
Daniel J. Murphy

The xeromorphic vegetation is a significant component of the Australian flora and phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis of xeromorphic plants provides a basis for understanding the origins and evolutionary history of the Australian vegetation. Here we expand on previous reviews of the origins and maintenance of the Australian flora with an emphasis on the xeromorphic component. Phylogenetic evidence supports fossil evidence for evolution of sclerophyll and xeromorphic vegetation from the Eocene with lineages becoming more common in the Oligocene and Miocene, a time of major change in climate and vegetation in Australia. Phylogenetic evidence supports the mesic biome as ancestral to the arid zone biome in Australia in phylogenies of key groups. The diversification and radiation of Australian species shows single origins of xeromorphic group mainly at deeper levels in phylogenies as well as multiple origins of arid occurring species at shallower levels. Divergence across the Nullarbor is also evident and speciation rates in south-western Australia were higher than in the south-east in several plant families. Estimates of timing of diversification generally show either constant rates of diversification or increased diversification from the mid to late Miocene. Phylogeographic studies consistently demonstrate high localised genetic diversity and geographic structure in xeromorphic species occupying both mesic and arid biomes.


2020 ◽  
pp. 53-68
Author(s):  
Marai Ruiz

The genus Liolaemus includes 268 species, classified in two subgenera, Eulaemus and Liolaemus sensu stricto. The latter is formed by 12 monophyletic groups; one of them being the Liolaemus elongatus group, distributed in South America. We studied the biogeographic history of the L. elongatus group. We obtained a phylogenetic hypothesis recovering five main clades: the L. punmahuida, L. elongatus sensu stricto, L. kriegi, L. petrophilus and L. capillitas clades. Based on that hypothesis we obtained a time calibrated tree. The ancestral ranges were estimated applying three methodologies: DEC, DEC+j (using predefined areas) and GEM (using explicit geographical data). Our results show that the ancestral area of the L. elongatus group was located in central Argentina, and its divergence began around 11.5 Mya. From here, a combination of events (founder events and/or vicariances) led the species to their current distribution. Despite their differences, DEC+j and GEM show congruent results.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5026 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-107
Author(s):  
GUSTAVO HORMIGA ◽  
SIDDHARTH KULKARNI ◽  
THIAGO DA SILVA MOREIRA ◽  
DIMITAR DIMITROV

We address the phylogenetic relationships of pimoid spiders (Pimoidae) using a standard target-gene approach with an extensive taxonomic sample, which includes representatives of the four currently recognized pimoid genera, 26 linyphiid genera, a sample of Physoglenidae, Cyatholipidae and one Tetragnathidae species. We test the monophyly of Pimoidae and Linyphiidae and explore the biogeographic history of the group. Nanoa Hormiga, Buckle and Scharff, 2005 and Pimoa Chamberlin & Ivie, 1943 form a clade which is the sister group of a lineage that includes all Linyphiidae, Weintrauboa Hormiga, 2003 and Putaoa Hormiga and Tu, 2008. Weintrauboa, Putaoa, Pecado and Stemonyphantes form a clade (Stemonyphantinae) sister to all remaining linyphiids. We use the resulting optimal molecular phylogenetic tree to assess hypotheses on the male palp sclerite homologies of pimoids and linyphiids. Pimoidae is redelimited to only include Pimoa and Nanoa. We formalize the transfer from Pimoidae of the genera Weintrauboa and Putaoa to Linyphiidae, re-circumscribe the linyphiid subfamily Stemonyphantinae, and offer revised morphological diagnoses for Pimoidae and Linyphiidae.  


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (06) ◽  
pp. 1660001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchishree Konhar ◽  
Manish Debnath ◽  
Jean Valrie Marbaniang ◽  
Devendra Kumar Biswal ◽  
Pramod Tandon

Intercontinental dislocations between tropical regions harboring two-thirds of the flowering plants have always drawn attention from taxonomists and biogeographers. One such family belonging to angiosperms is Orchidaceae with an herbaceous habit and high species diversity in the tropics. Here, we investigate the evolutionary and biogeographical history of the genus Cymbidium, which represents a monophyletic subfamily (Epidendroideae) of the orchids and comprises 50 odd species that are distinctly distributed in tropical to temperate regions. Much is not known about correlations among the level of CAM activity (one of the photosynthetic pathways often regarded as an adaptation to water stress in land plants), habitat, life forms, and phylogenetic relationships of orchids from an evolutionary perspective. A relatively well-resolved and highly supported phylogeny for Cymbidium orchids is reconstructed based on sequence analysis of ITS2 and matK regions from the chloroplast DNA available in public repositories viz. GenBank at NCBI. This study examines a genus level analysis by integrating different molecular matrices to existing fossil data on orchids in a molecular Bayesian relaxed clock employed in BEAST and assessed divergence times for the genus Cymbidium with a focus on evolutionary history of photosynthetic characters. Our study has enabled age estimations (45Ma) as well as ancestral area reconstruction for the genus Cymbidium using BEAST by addition of previously analyzed two internal calibration points.


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