Article
Ecology
Joan Ferrer Obiol, Helen F. James, R. Terry Chesser, Vincent Bretagnolle, Jacob Gonzalez-Solis, Julio Rozas, Andreanna J. Welch, Marta Riutort
Summary: The study reveals the significant role of palaeoceanographic changes in the diversification and speciation of shearwaters, particularly during the Late Pliocene-early Pleistocene. Genomic data analysis indicates that shearwaters are influenced by surface ocean currents and founder events, resulting in changes in body size, fossil biogeography, and phylogeny. The current taxonomy shows incongruences with genomic divergence patterns.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentin Rineau, Jan Smycka, David Storch
Summary: Biodiversity on Earth is influenced by abiotic perturbations and rapid diversifications, as well as biotic interactions. Analysis of the fossil record reveals that diversity has a universal impact on origination and extinction rates, although the precise mechanisms are complex. The global regulation of diversity through negative diversity dependence seems to be a common feature in the biosphere, with significant implications for understanding the current biodiversity crisis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Andrea S. Meseguer, Ruben Carrillo, Sean W. Graham, Isabel Sanmartin
Summary: The relatively low diversity of aquatic angiosperms compared to their terrestrial relatives is caused by lower speciation and higher extinction rates, as well as infrequent transitions from land to water. The stressful conditions and limited space in aquatic habitats are hypothesized to explain this pattern.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
R. Alexander Pyron, Matt Pennell
Summary: Macroevolutionary research on extinction has primarily focused on large-scale processes, while recent conservation studies concentrate on population-level dynamics in the Anthropocene. Combining these perspectives can reveal hidden assumptions of value and highlight promising research agendas in conservation biology.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Thomas A. Neubauer, Torsten Hauffe, Daniele Silvestro, Christopher R. Scotese, Bjorn Stelbrink, Christian Albrecht, Diana Delicado, Mathias Harzhauser, Thomas Wilke
Summary: Understanding the drivers of species diversification over geological time is crucial for our knowledge of long-term evolutionary processes. This study used a large fossil dataset, a multivariate birth-death model, and a comprehensive set of biotic and abiotic predictors to estimate the drivers of diversification for European freshwater gastropods over the past 100 million years. The results showed temporal heterogeneity in the factors influencing diversification rates, with diversity-dependence and topography consistently playing important roles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Daniele Silvestro, Christine D. Bacon, Wenna Ding, Qiuyue Zhang, Philip C. J. Donoghue, Alexandre Antonelli, Yaowu Xing
Summary: The origin of angiosperms remains controversial, with some families originating in the Jurassic and supporting rapid diversification in the Cretaceous, as indicated by both molecular and fossil record analyses.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gustavo Burin, Paulo R. Guimaraes Jr, Tiago B. Quental
Summary: The study found that bird species contributing most to the structure of plant-frugivore interaction networks belong to lineages with higher macroevolutionary stability. This association is stronger in warmer, wetter, less seasonal environments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manon Bucher, Fabien L. Condamine, Yang Luo, Menglin Wang, Thierry Bourgoin
Summary: This study provides a phylogenetic and dating analysis of Fulgoromorpha, covering 531 taxa and representing 80% of the currently described diversity in this group. The results reveal the unexpected paraphyly of Delphacidae, the sister relationship of Meenoplidae-Kinnaridae with other Fulgoroidea families, and the early branching node of Tettigometridae. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of high-quality molecular sequences and large sampling in analyzing the phylogeny of this group.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stilianos Louca, Matthew W. Pennell
Summary: Time-calibrated phylogenies of extant species are commonly used in estimating historical speciation and extinction rates, but controversy exists due to zero inflation in extinction estimates. A novel explanation is provided based on the discovery of alternative congruent diversification scenarios, which may result in estimators converging to scenarios with negative extinction rates. This mechanism explains the zero inflation of extinction rate estimates without detectable model violations, potentially resolving a long-standing mystery in phylogenetics.
Article
Ecology
Michael Foote
Summary: Through comparing detrended estimates of diversity and rates of origination, extinction, and net diversification, the study shows that at the global scale, there is a negative correlation between rates of diversification and origination and diversity. However, the correlation between extinction rates and diversity is weak. This diversity-dependent diversification is a pervasive factor in the macroevolution of marine animal life.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Maria J. A. Creighton, Dan A. Greenberg, Simon M. Reader, Arne O. Mooers
Summary: Behavioral innovation and social learning are positively correlated with diversification rates among primate genera, but not at shallower phylogenetic depths. Stronger associations are found when examining older diversification events, suggesting that extinction resistance may play a key role. Dispersal-mediated explanations may account for conflicting patterns observed across clades.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel L. Rabosky, Roger B. J. Benson
Summary: Estimates of evolutionary diversification rates based on the age-richness rate (ARR) estimator are problematic for comparative studies due to theoretical and empirical shortcomings, as well as a lack of predictive ability for real datasets.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martha Kandziora, Berit Gehrke, Magnus Popp, Abel Gizaw, Christian Brochmann, Michael D. Pirie
Summary: The colonization and diversification history of the afroalpine flora in Africa, which is highly endemic but species-poor, has been studied using phylogenetic relationships and molecular dating methods. Most lineages appear to have colonized the afroalpine during the last 5 or 10 million years, and the accumulation of species has increased exponentially toward the present. This study contributes to our understanding of the colonization processes on different tropical sky islands and provides insights into the shaping of their remarkable floras.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Estefany Karen Lopez-Estrada, Isabel Sanmartin, Juan Esteban Uribe, Samuel Abalde, Yolanda Jimenez-Ruiz, Mario Garcia-Paris
Summary: This study examines the effects of changes in two life history traits, host-type and phoresy, in the hypermetamorphic blister beetles. The results show that transitions towards a phoretic bee-parasitoid and grasshopper parasitoidism occurred multiple times, contributing to the evolutionary success of the parasitoid meloidae. The use of state-dependent speciation and extinction models helps identify hidden traits coevolving with the focal trait in driving a lineage's diversification dynamics.
Article
Ecology
Ford J. Fishman, Jay T. Lennon
Summary: Biologists have long been trying to quantify the number of species on Earth, but often neglect the contribution of microorganisms. Recent large-scale sampling efforts have shown a wide range of estimates for global microbial diversity, and speciation and extinction over the past 4 billion years have imposed limits on biodiversity inventories. Macroevolutionary models based on constant and universal speciation and extinction rates reveal that richness beyond 10^12 species is possible and consistent with empirical predictions. Additional simulations indicate that mass extinction events do not impose hard limits on modern-day microbial diversity. In conclusion, this study provides independent support for a massive global-scale microbiome and sheds light on the upper limits of life on Earth.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jakub Baczynski, Herve Sauquet, Krzysztof Spalik
Summary: This study analyzed the macroevolutionary patterns of pseudanthia in the Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae and investigated their potential correlation with diversification rates. The results showed that pseudanthia had multiple independent origins and reversals in the subfamily and were strongly correlated with the size of the inflorescence. However, pseudanthia were not responsible for the variation in diversification rates in this subfamily.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephanie H. Chen, Maurizio Rossetto, Marlien van der Merwe, Patricia Lu-Irving, Jia-Yee S. Yap, Herve Sauquet, Greg Bourke, Timothy G. Amos, Jason G. Bragg, Richard J. Edwards
Summary: This study presents the first chromosome-level genome of Telopea speciosissima, providing valuable insights into the speciation, introgression, and adaptation processes. The genome assembly is of high quality and the annotation revealed important genetic information, such as the presence of CYCLOIDEA genes and potential gene duplications. The T. speciosissima reference genome will contribute to the conservation efforts of Proteaceae plants in Australia and beyond.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Michael J. Benton, Peter Wilf, Herve Sauquet
Summary: The explosive growth of terrestrial biodiversity occurred from 100 to 50 million years ago, closely related to innovations in flowering plant biology and evolutionary ecology. The rise of angiosperms triggered a macroecological revolution on land, driving modern biodiversity to new, high levels of long-term transition.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Andrew J. Helmstetter, Sylvain Glemin, Jos Kafer, Rosana Zenil-Ferguson, Herv Sauquet, Hugo de Boer, Leo-Paul M. J. Dagallier, Nathan Mazet, Eliette L. Reboud, Thomas L. P. Couvreur, Fabien L. Condamine
Summary: Estimating time-dependent rates of speciation and extinction from phylogenetic trees is crucial for understanding biodiversity. However, recent findings have raised questions about the reliability of these estimations. Despite this, studying macroevolution using phylogenetic trees is still exciting and promising. By acknowledging limitations and advancing modeling techniques, we can make progress as a scientific community.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
T. L. P. Couvreur, X. Cornejo, J. N. Zapata, A. Loor
Summary: Two new magnoliid tree species, Aniba ecuadorica and Guatteria esperanzae, were discovered in a small privately owned forest fragment in western Ecuador. Both species face potential extinction and emphasize the importance of prospecting and conserving remnant forests in the Manabi region. It also highlights the role of privately owned forest fragments in biodiversity conservation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Claes Persson, Bente Eriksen, Alvaro J. Perez, J. Nicolas Zapata, Thomas L. P. Couvreur, Petr Sklenar
Summary: This study describes and illustrates three new species of Valeriana from southern Ecuador. Valeriana plateadensis is found near the highest peak of Cerro Plateado in Cordillera del Condor at 2900 m a.s.l., and is characterized by its shrubby habit, sessile, densely imbricate, spatulate leaves, and 3-lobed corollas. V. yacuriensis is found near Lagunas Negras de Jimbura in the Parque Nacional Yacuri at 3500 m a.s.l., and is recognized by its shrubby habit, petiolate leaves, and 3-lobed corollas. V. xenophylloides is found in the Paramo de Patococha at 3400 m a.s.l., and is recognized by its cushion growth form, the crown of trichomes at the leaf apex, and 3-lobed corollas.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rocio Deanna, Camila Martinez, Steven Manchester, Peter Wilf, Abel Campos, Sandra Knapp, Franco E. Chiarini, Gloria E. Barboza, Gabriel Bernardello, Herve Sauquet, Ellen Dean, Andres Orejuela, Stacey D. Smith
Summary: Fossil discoveries can change our understanding of plant diversification. Two new Eocene fossil berries have been described, revealing the ancient distribution of the nightshade family and indicating that it is older and more widespread than previously believed.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruby E. E. Stephens, Rachael V. V. Gallagher, Lily Dun, Will Cornwell, Herve Sauquet
Summary: Most contemporary angiosperms are insect pollinated, but wind, water or vertebrate pollination also occurs in many lineages. This study reconstructs the ancestral pollination mode of angiosperms and quantifies the timing and environmental associations of pollination shifts. It found that angiosperms were ancestrally insect pollinated and wind and vertebrate pollination evolved multiple times. The probability of wind pollination increases with habitat openness and distance from the equator.
Article
Plant Sciences
Thomas Mesaglio, Herve Sauquet, David Coleman, Elizabeth Wenk, William K. Cornwell
Summary: The photographic record is a crucial biodiversity resource, but there are significant gaps globally, including in well-researched floras like Australia. A survey of 33 sources of curated photographs revealed that 3715 out of 21,077 Australian native species lack verifiable photographs. Unphotographed species tend to be small in stature, uncharismatic, and recently described. It is important to treat photographs as an essential biodiversity resource and complete the botanical photographic record worldwide.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maria Fernanda Martinez-Velarde, Carlos Rodrigues-Vaz, Vincent Soule, Francis J. Nge, George E. Schatz, Thomas L. P. Couvreur, Andres Ernesto Ortiz-Rodriguez
Summary: Flagelliflory refers to the production of inflorescences exclusively on long, whip-like branches which emerge from the main trunk and extend along the ground or below it. In this study, a new species of Annonaceae with flagelliflory is described and illustrated. The new species, named Desmopsis terriflora sp. nov., has unique characteristics such as flagelliflorous inflorescences, basely fused sepals, thick red petals, reduced number of ovules per carpel, and pollen grains with special ornamentation. The flowers of this species are infrequently visited by insects, and potential pollinators include flies and ants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
George Gosline, Ehoarn Bidault, Xander van der Burgt, Daniel Cahen, Gill Challen, Nagnouma Conde, Charlotte Couch, Thomas L. P. Couvreur, Leo-Paul M. J. Dagallier, Iain Darbyshire, Sally Dawson, Tokpa Seny Dore, David Goyder, Aurelie Grall, Pepe Haba, Pierre Haba, David Harris, D. J. Nicholas Hind, Carel Jongkind, Gbamon Konomou, Isabel Larridon, Gwilym Lewis, Alexandra Ley, Michael Lock, Eve Lucas, Sekou Magassouba, Simon Mayo, Denise Molmou, Alexandre Monro, Jean Michel Onana, Jorge Paiva, Alan Paton, Sylvia Phillips, Ghillean Prance, Alejandro Quintanar, Saba Rokni, Toral Shah, Brian Schrire, Andre Schuiteman, Ana Rita Giraldes Simoes, Marc Sosef, Tariq Stevart, R. Doug Stone, Tim Utteridge, Paul Wilkin, Martin Xanthos, Eimear Nic Lughadha, Martin Cheek
Summary: The Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Republic of Guinea (CVPRG) is a comprehensive compilation of 3901 vascular plant species in Guinea, West Africa. It includes information on their names, distribution, and status. The checklist is generated from databases developed and maintained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in collaboration with the National Herbarium of Guinea. With a focus on documenting and safeguarding Guinea's plant diversity, the checklist serves as a valuable resource for scientists and those interested in the benefits derived from these biological resources.
Article
Plant Sciences
Julian Herting, Jurg Schoenenberger, Herve Sauquet
Summary: Recent studies on floral disparity in the asterid order Ericales have shown significant variation in flowers among families and uneven distribution of disparity between flower modules. It is still unknown whether these patterns are driven by heterogeneous rates of morphological evolution or other factors.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Leo-Paul M. J. Dagallier, Fabien L. Condamine, Thomas L. P. Couvreur
Summary: The impact of climate and geological changes on the diversification within the Monodoreae clade, a group of tree species restricted to African tropical rain forests, was investigated. It was found that cooling climate and mountain uplift during the Miocene led to the aridification of tropical Africa and the decline of rain forests, followed by fragmentation and speciation as a result of improved climate conditions.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Yasmin Asar, Herve Sauquet, Simon Y. W. Ho
Summary: Determining the link between genomic and phenotypic change is a fundamental goal in evolutionary biology. This study used a simulation approach to evaluate the performance of five statistical methods for detecting correlated rates of evolution. The results showed that Bayesian relaxed-clock estimation of branch rates was the most effective method in detecting correlated rates of evolution.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Roy H. J. Erkens, Laetitia M. P. Blanpain, Inma Carrascosa Jara, Katharina Runge, Nadja Verspagen, Ariane Cosiaux, Thomas L. P. Couvreur
Summary: The research highlights the limited knowledge about the distribution, ecological requirements, and threats to species in the well-studied tropical plant family Annonaceae. It emphasizes the importance of improving data collection and analysis for this group and other taxa.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2023)