Tectonics, climate and the diversification of the tropical African terrestrial flora and fauna

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 96(1), P. 16 - 51

Published: Sept. 13, 2020

ABSTRACT Tropical Africa is home to an astonishing biodiversity occurring in a variety of ecosystems. Past climatic change and geological events have impacted the evolution diversification this biodiversity. During last two decades, around 90 dated molecular phylogenies different clades across animals plants been published leading increased understanding speciation processes generating tropical African In parallel, extended palaeoclimatic records together with detailed numerical simulations refined our past changes Africa. To date, these important advances not reviewed within common framework. Here, we critically review synthesize climate, tectonics terrestrial throughout Cenozoic mid‐Pleistocene, drawing on recent Earth life sciences. We first six major geo‐climatic periods defining by synthesizing 89 phylogeny studies. Two factors impacting sub‐Saharan biota are highlighted. First, underwent numerous fluctuations at ancient more timescales, tectonic, greenhouse gas, orbital forcing stimulating diversification. Second, aridification since Late Eocene led extinction events, but also provided unique opportunities shaping current landscape. then studies animal plant discuss three models speciation: ( i ) geographic via vicariance (allopatry); ii ecological climate changes, iii genomic genome duplication. Geographic has most widely documented date model conclude four challenges faced research: increase knowledge gathering basic fundamental information; improve modelling geophysical better constraints downscaling approaches; precision phylogenetic reconstruction dating using next generation sequencing approaches fossil calibrations; iv finally, as done here, integrate data from sciences focusing interdisciplinary study wider geodiversity context.

Language: Английский

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Highly Resolved Papilionoid Legume Phylogeny Based on Plastid Phylogenomics

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Feb. 23, 2022

Comprising 501 genera and around 14,000 species, Papilionoideae is not only the largest subfamily of Fabaceae (Leguminosae; legumes), but also one most extraordinarily diverse clades among angiosperms. Papilionoids are a major source food forage, ecologically successful in all biomes, display dramatic variation both floral architecture plastid genome (plastome) structure. Plastid DNA-based phylogenetic analyses have greatly improved our understanding relationships groups Papilionoideae, yet backbone phylogeny remains unresolved. In this study, we sequenced assembled 39 new plastomes that covering key representing morphological diversity subfamily. From 244 total taxa, produced eight datasets for maximum likelihood (ML) based on entire and/or concatenated sequences 77 protein-coding (CDS) two multispecies coalescent (MSC) individual gene trees. We additionally combined nucleotide dataset comprising CDS plus matK only, which papilionoid were sampled. A ML tree plastome maximally supported deep recent divergences papilionoids (223 out 236 nodes). The Swartzieae, ADA (Angylocalyceae, Dipterygeae, Amburaneae), Cladrastis, Andira, Exostyleae formed grade to remainder concordant with nine MSC Phylogenetic remaining five lineages (Vataireoid, Dermatophyllum, Genistoid s.l., Dalbergioid Baphieae + Non-Protein Amino Acid Accumulating or NPAAA clade) remained uncertain, because insufficient support conflicting Our study fully resolved nodes however, some require further exploration. More genome-scale data rigorous needed disentangle lineages.

Language: Английский

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The genome of Shorea leprosula (Dipterocarpaceae) highlights the ecological relevance of drought in aseasonal tropical rainforests

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 4(1)

Published: Oct. 7, 2021

Hyperdiverse tropical rainforests, such as the aseasonal forests in Southeast Asia, are supported by high annual rainfall. Its canopy is dominated species-rich tree family of Dipterocarpaceae (Asian dipterocarps), which has both ecological (e.g., supports flora and fauna) economical timber production) importance. Recent studies suggested that rare irregular drought events may be an environmental stress signal for trees. We assembled genome a widespread but near threatened dipterocarp, Shorea leprosula, analyzed transcriptome sequences ten dipterocarp species representing seven genera. Comparative genomic molecular dating analyses whole-genome duplication close to Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event followed diversification major lineages (i.e. Dipterocarpoideae). Interestingly, retained duplicated genes were enriched upregulated no-irrigation treatment. These findings provide support relevance trees despite lack dry season.

Language: Английский

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Savanna tree evolutionary ages inform the reconstruction of the paleoenvironment of our hominin ancestors

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: July 24, 2020

Abstract Ideas on hominin evolution have long invoked the emergence from forests into open habitats as generating selection for traits such bipedalism and dietary shifts. Though controversial, savanna hypothesis continues to motivate research palaeo-environments of Africa. Reconstruction these ancient environments has depended heavily carbon isotopic analysis fossil bones palaeosols. The sparsity record, however, imposes a limit strength inference that can be drawn data. Time-calibrated phylogenies offer an additional tool dating spread habitat. Here, using evolutionary ages African trees, we suggest initial tropical or subtropical expansion between 10 15 Ma, which then extended higher latitudes, reaching southern Africa ca. 3 Ma. Our phylogenetic estimates origin latitudinal savannas broadly correspond with age encompass entire record. results are consistent early reignite debate drivers expansion. demonstrates utility proxies major ecological transitions in geological time, especially regions where fossils rare absent occur discontinuous sediments.

Language: Английский

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A dated phylogeny of the Neotropical Dipterygeae clade reveals 30 million years of winged papilionate floral conservatism in the otherwise florally labile early-branching papilionoid legumes

Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 202(4), P. 449 - 475

Published: Jan. 11, 2023

Abstract The early-branching clades of Fabaceae subfamily Papilionoideae are characterized by their remarkable lability in floral architecture. In contrast, more derived papilionoid lineages marked evolutionary conservatism towards strongly bilateral, papilionate flowers. Here, we show an unexpected example a unique architecture during the early diversification history papilionoids. We built most comprehensively sampled molecular phylogenetic tree with focus on early-diverging Dipterygeae clade to evaluate winged and associated traits related flower specialization (e.g. zygomorphy, petal differentiation, stable stamen number sheath). comprise c. 22 species mostly giant trees from across tropical forests Central America Amazon, but they also ecologically dominant savannas Brazilian Plateau. Phylogenetic analyses nuclear ribosomal ITS/5.8S plastid matK trnL intron sequences supported inter-relationships monophyly each genus (Dipteryx, Monopteryx, Pterodon Taralea). Bayesian relaxed-clock dating model ancestral character estimation revealed 30 Myr all papilionate-related comprising recent common ancestor Dipteryx, Taralea, fruit morphology entire clade. Despite Monopteryx remaining being florally discrepant, collectively defined synapomorphy that is among Fabaceae: highly differentiated calyx, where two upper lobes enlarged wing-like, whereas other three lower reduced. suggest different dispersal strategies ancient Dipterygeae, which has maintained effective ecological interactions specialized pollinators ensured protection young buds developing fruits, may explain successful persistence main Neotropical biomes.

Language: Английский

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Well‐resolved phylogeny supports repeated evolution of keel flowers as a synergistic contributor to papilionoid legume diversification

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 18, 2025

Summary The butterfly‐shaped keel flower is a highly successful floral form in angiosperms. These flowers steer the mechanical interaction with bees and thus are hypothesized to accelerate pollinator‐driven diversification. exceptionally labile evolution of Papilionoideae (Fabaceae) provides suitable system test this hypothesis. Using 1456 low‐copy nuclear loci, we confidently resolve early divergence history Papilionoideae. Constrained by backbone phylogeny, generated time tree for 3326 Fabales evaluate tempo mode diversification within state‐dependent evolutionary framework. first emerged c. 59.0 million years ago Papilionoideae, predating earliest fossil 3–4 years. Miocene coincided rapid flowers. At least six independent origins 32 losses were identified Cercidoideae, Polygalaceae. However, model was not favored. Lack radiation associated suggests that solely driven pollinator‐mediated selection, but instead an outcome synergistic effects multiple innovations, including nitrogen fixation chemical defense, as well dispersal into subtropical temperate regions.

Language: Английский

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Ormosia neillii (Fabaceae), a remarkable new tree species from the Cordillera del Cóndor plateaus in Ecuador

PhytoKeys, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 256, P. 21 - 35

Published: May 5, 2025

A new species, Ormosia neillii (Fabaceae), is described and illustrated from the tepui-like formations of Cordillera del Cóndor Region in south-eastern Ecuador. Morphological similarities with other species are examined discussed. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status Endangered (EN) recommended.

Language: Английский

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Genome skimming reveals novel plastid markers for the molecular identification of illegally logged African timber species

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 16(6), P. e0251655 - e0251655

Published: June 11, 2021

Tropical forests represent vast carbon stocks and continue to be key sinks buffer climate changes. The international policy constructed several mechanisms aiming at conservation sustainable use of these forests. Illegal logging is an important threat forests, especially in the tropics. Several laws regulations have been set up combat illegal timber trade. Despite significant enforcement efforts regulations, continues a serious problem impacts for functioning forest ecosystem global biodiversity Microscopic analysis wood samples conventional plant DNA barcodes often do not allow distinguish closely-related species. novel molecular technologies could make contribution identification tree In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing bioinformatics tools obtain complete de-novo chloroplast genome 62 commercial African species using skimming method. Then, performed comparative genomic that revealed new candidate genetic regions discrimination We concluded promising method development markers activities supporting CITES, FLEGT EU Timber Regulation.

Language: Английский

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A dated molecular phylogeny and biogeographical analysis reveals the evolutionary history of the trans-pacifically disjunct tropical tree genus Ormosia (Fabaceae)

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 166, P. 107329 - 107329

Published: Oct. 22, 2021

Language: Английский

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Phylogeny, biogeography, and character evolution of the genus Sophora s.l. (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae)

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 181, P. 107713 - 107713

Published: Jan. 21, 2023

Language: Английский

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