Biodiversity: Concepts, Patterns, Trends, and Perspectives

Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 47(1), P. 31 - 63

Published: Sept. 2, 2022

Biodiversity, a term now widely employed in science, policy, and wider society, has burgeoning associated literature. We synthesize aspects of this literature, focusing on several key concepts, debates, patterns, trends, drivers. review the history multiple dimensions values biodiversity, we explore what is known not about global patterns biodiversity. then changes biodiversity from early human times to modern era, examining rates extinction direct drivers change also highlighting some less-well-studied Finally, turn attention indirect loss, notably humanity's increasing consumption footprint, might be required reverse ongoing decline fabric life Earth.

Language: Английский

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Phylogenomics and the rise of the angiosperms

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 629(8013), P. 843 - 850

Published: April 24, 2024

Angiosperms are the cornerstone of most terrestrial ecosystems and human livelihoods

Language: Английский

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Key innovations and the diversification of Hymenoptera

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 3, 2023

The order Hymenoptera (wasps, ants, sawflies, and bees) represents one of the most diverse animal lineages, but whether specific key innovations have contributed to its diversification is still unknown. We assembled largest time-calibrated phylogeny date investigated origin possible correlation particular morphological behavioral with in order: wasp waist Apocrita; stinger Aculeata; parasitoidism, a specialized form carnivory; secondary phytophagy, reversal plant-feeding. Here, we show that parasitoidism has been dominant strategy since Late Triassic Hymenoptera, was not an immediate driver diversification. Instead, transitions phytophagy (from parasitoidism) had major influence on rate Hymenoptera. Support for as remains equivocal, these traits may laid anatomical foundations adaptations more directly associated

Language: Английский

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Stingless Bee (Apidae: Apinae: Meliponini) Ecology

Annual Review of Entomology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 68(1), P. 231 - 256

Published: Oct. 6, 2022

Stingless bees form perennial colonies of honey-making insects. The >600 species stingless bees, mainly Neotropical, live throughout tropical latitudes. Foragers influence floral biology, plant reproduction, microbe dispersal, and diverse ecosystem functions. As forest residents since the upper Cretaceous, they have had a long evolutionary history without competition from honey bees. Most are smaller than any Apis recruit nest mates to resources, while their defense strategies exclude stinging behavior but incorporate biting. diversified ecologically; excel in nesting site selection mutualisms with plants, arthropods, microbes; display opportunism, including co-opting defenses. biology becomes better known, applications human endeavors imposing selective pressures exploitation approaches conservation that entail colony extraction wildlands. Although some meliponines can adjust new conditions, populations shall require diversity for survival reproduction.

Language: Английский

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Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of Orchidaceae using nuclear genes and evolutionary insights into epiphytism

Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 65(5), P. 1204 - 1225

Published: Feb. 4, 2023

Orchidaceae (with >28,000 orchid species) are one of the two largest plant families, with economically and ecologically important species, occupy global diverse niches primary distribution in rainforests. Among orchids, 70% grow on other plants as epiphytes; epiphytes contribute up to ~50% diversity rainforests provide food shelter for animals microbes, thereby contributing health these ecosystems. Orchids account over two-thirds vascular an excellent model studying evolution epiphytism. Extensive phylogenetic studies subgroups have ;been crucial understanding relationships among many lineages, although some uncertainties remain. For example, subfamily Epidendroideae nearly all epiphytic tribes subtribes still controversial, hampering evolutionary analyses Here we obtained 1,450 low-copy nuclear genes from 610 including 431 newly generated transcriptomes, used them reconstruction robust trees highly supported placements subtribes. We also generally well-supported 131 genera 437 species that were not sampled by previous plastid phylogenomic studies. Molecular clock estimated origin at ~132 million years ago (Ma) divergences most 52 29 Ma. Character supports least 14 parallel origins epiphytism; such was placed recent common ancestor ~95% orchids linked modern Ten occurrences rapid increase diversification rate detected within near after K-Pg boundary, ~80% diversity. This study provides a family-wide tree thus far new insights into epiphytism plants.

Language: Английский

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Comprehensive phylogenomic time tree of bryophytes reveals deep relationships and uncovers gene incongruences in the last 500 million years of diversification

American Journal of Botany, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 110(11)

Published: Oct. 4, 2023

Abstract Premise Bryophytes form a major component of terrestrial plant biomass, structuring ecological communities in all biomes. Our understanding the evolutionary history hornworts, liverworts, and mosses has been significantly reshaped by inferences from molecular data, which have highlighted extensive homoplasy various traits repeated bursts diversification. However, timing key events phylogeny, patterns, processes diversification across bryophytes remain unclear. Methods Using GoFlag probe set, we sequenced 405 exons representing 228 nuclear genes for 531 species 52 54 orders bryophytes. We inferred phylogeny gene tree analyses using concatenated coalescence approaches, assessed conflict, estimated divergences based on 29 fossil calibrations. Results The resolves many relationships bryophytes, enabling us to resurrect five liverwort recognize three more propose 10 new mosses. Most originated Jurassic diversified Cretaceous or later. phylogenomic data also highlight topological conflict parts tree, suggesting complex that cannot be adequately captured single gene‐tree topology. Conclusions sampled hundreds loci broad phylogenetic spectrum spanning at least 450 Ma evolution; these resolved critical nodes need explore mechanisms underlying ambiguity specific nodes. provide an expandable framework toward reconstructing comprehensive this important group plants.

Language: Английский

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Genomes, fossils, and the concurrent rise of modern birds and flowering plants in the Late Cretaceous

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(8)

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

The phylogeny and divergence timing of the Neoavian radiation remain controversial despite recent progress. We analyzed genomes 124 species across all orders, using data from 25,460 loci spanning four DNA classes, including 5,756 coding sequences, 12,449 conserved nonexonic elements, 4,871 introns, 2,384 intergenic segments. conducted a comprehensive sensitivity analysis to account for heterogeneity different leading an optimal tree Neoaves with high resolution. This features novel dichotomy comprising two monophyletic clades: previously recognized Telluraves (land birds) newly circumscribed Aquaterraves (waterbirds relatives). Molecular dating analyses 20 fossil calibrations indicate that diversification modern birds began in Late Cretaceous underwent constant steady KPg boundary, concurrent rise angiosperms as well other major Cenozoic animal groups placental multituberculate mammals. catastrophe had limited impact on avian evolution compared Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum, which triggered rapid seabirds. Our findings suggest followed slow process gradualism rather than punctuated equilibrium, interruption by catastrophe. study places bird into new context within vertebrates, ramifications Earth’s biota.

Language: Английский

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The angiosperm radiation played a dual role in the diversification of insects and insect pollinators

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 22, 2024

Interactions with angiosperms have been hypothesised to play a crucial role in driving diversification among insects, particular emphasis on pollinator insects. However, support for coevolutionary insect-plant interactions is weak. Macroevolutionary studies of insect and plant diversities the hypothesis that diversified after peak diversity Early Cretaceous. Here, we used family-level fossil record insects as whole, families particular, estimate rates macroevolutionary history using Bayesian process-based approach. We found played dual changed through time, mitigating extinction Cretaceous promoting origination Cenozoic, which also recovered only. Although pollinated gymnosperms before angiosperm radiation, radiation new lineages began increased, particularly significant 50 Ma. global temperature, increases diversity, spore plants were strongly correlated rates, suggesting multiple drivers influenced arguing investigation different explanatory variables further studies.

Language: Английский

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Genomic evidence for rediploidization and adaptive evolution following the whole-genome triplication

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Abstract Whole-genome duplication (WGD), or polyploidy, events are widespread and significant in the evolutionary history of angiosperms. However, empirical evidence for rediploidization, major process where polyploids give rise to diploid descendants, is still lacking at genomic level. Here we present chromosome-scale genomes mangrove tree Sonneratia alba related inland plant Lagerstroemia speciosa . Their common ancestor has experienced a whole-genome triplication (WGT) approximately 64 million years ago coinciding with period dramatic global climate change. , adapting habitats, extensive chromosome rearrangements post-WGT. We observe WGT retentions display sequence expression divergence, suggesting potential neo- sub-functionalization. Strong selection acting on three-copy indicates adaptive value response new environments. To elucidate role ploidy changes genome evolution, improve model polyploidization–rediploidization based evidence, contributing understanding evolution during

Language: Английский

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Symbiosis and horizontal gene transfer promote herbivory in the megadiverse leaf beetles

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(3), P. 640 - 654.e7

Published: Jan. 18, 2025

Beetles that feed on the nutritionally depauperate and recalcitrant tissues provided by leaves, stems, roots of living plants comprise one-quarter herbivorous insect species. Among key adaptations for herbivory are plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) break down fastidious polymers in wall grant access to nutritious content. While largely absent from non-herbivorous ancestors beetles, such PCWDEs were occasionally acquired via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) or uptake digestive symbionts. However, macroevolutionary dynamics their impact evolutionary transitions insects remained poorly understood. Through genomic transcriptomic analyses 74 leaf beetle species 50 symbionts, we show multiple independent events microbe-to-beetle HGT specialized symbioses drove convergent innovations approximately 21,000 13,500 species, respectively. Enzymatic assays indicate these significantly expanded beetles' repertoires thereby contributed adaptation diversification. Our results exemplify how recurring symbiont acquisition catalyzed nutritional success a megadiverse taxon.

Language: Английский

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