Abstract Detail

Systematics

Paredes-Burneo, Diego [1], Bedoya, Ana Maria [3], Ulloa, Carmen [3], Majure, Lucas [3], Michelangeli, Fabian [3], Lagomarsino, Laura [6].

Phylogenomic analyses of Brachyotum (Melastomataceae) show multiple dispersals across the Huancabamba depression in the Andes.

The Andean flora is one of the most diverse on Earth with endemism as one of its key features—thousands of plant species are restricted to narrow ranges. Evidence suggests that along the Andean region, the Huancabamba Depression represents a north-south barrier for several taxa, i.e., it potentially stands as a key driver for endemism. A taxon that shows this biogeographical pattern is Brachyotum (Melastomataceae): 70% of Brachyotum’s ca. 55 species occur in high-elevation ecosystems in the region adjacent to the Huancabamba Depression, though individual species tend to only occur either to the north or south of this barrier. To test the hypothesis that this biogeographic barrier has impacted the evolutionary trajectory of Brachyotum, we inferred a phylogeny of 33 species with 265 loci amplified through a target-capture sequencing using both concatenation and species tree approaches. By reconstructing ancestral areas along this phylogeny, we inferred that Brachyotum crossed this divide via dispersal very few times. These results point to a role of limited dispersal ability in Brachyotum, which may also explain patterns of endemism.

1 - Louisiana State University, Department Of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, United States
2 - Louisiana State University, Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803, USA
3 -
4 - Florida Museum Of Natural History, Department Of Natural History, 1659 Museum Rd. , Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
5 - The New York Botanical Garden, Institute Of Systematic Botany, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY, 10458, United States
6 - Louisiana State University, Dept Of Biological Sciences, 103 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, United States

Keywords:
Andes
biogeography
endemism
Melastomataceae
Neotropics
phylogenetics
target-capture.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Number: COOLEY004
Abstract ID:831
Candidate for Awards:George R. Cooley Award