| Abstract Detail
Systematics NS, Prasanna [1], Adhikari, Bhaskar [2], Möller, Michael [2], Gowda, Vinita [1]. Biogeography and diversification patterns in Didymocarpus (Gesneriaceae): a case of “into-India” dispersal. The phylogenetic relationship and biogeographic history of some members of Old-World Gesneriaceae remain poorly understood since detailed studies are still outstanding. The genus Didymocarpus Wall. (Gesneriaceae) is one such member showing great floral diversity, comprising just over 110 species distributed from the western Himalayas to the Malay Peninsula. Here we reconstructed a phylogenetic tree of 67 species, including most of the described species from India, using three plastid and one nuclear markers. Our results suggest that Didymocarpus in its current sense forms a paraphyletic group. We built a time calibrated phylogenetic tree to infer the ancestral area and diversification dynamics and route of colonization of Didymocarpus in India. According to our analyses, the genus Didymocarpus sensu stricto perhaps originated in the Malay Peninsula during the early Miocene and the ancestral Malay taxa dispersed northwards and diversified in the Himalayas and Indo-Burma region supporting an ‘into-India’ hypothesis. Further, we propose that the presence of species complexes in the Himalayan region may be a reflection of recent radiation events and incipient speciation among taxa in this region. Finally, the character state reconstruction suggests that northward expansion of Didymocarpus was coupled with change in plant habit and dominant floral colors, suggesting the role of ecological and reproductive factors in intra-generic diversifications in Asia.
1 - IISER Bhopal, Room 223, AB3, Dept. Of Biological Sciences,, IISER- Bhopal, Bhopal Bypass Road, Bhauri,, Bhopal, MP, 462066, India
2 - Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, UK
Keywords:
Gesneriaceae
Tropical biodiversity
biogeography
lianas
“into-India” hypothesis.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Number: COOLEY006
Abstract ID:957
Candidate for Awards:George R. Cooley Award |
