Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao-Xia Zhang, Jian-Fei Ye, Shawn W. Laffan, Brent D. Mishler, Andrew H. Thornhill, Li-Min Lu, Ling-Feng Mao, Bing Liu, You-Hua Chen, An-Ming Lu, Joseph T. Miller, Zhi-Duan Chen
Summary: The flora of China is known for its high diversity and endemism. In this study, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify centers of endemism in the Chinese angiosperm flora. The results showed that mountainous regions in China have high levels of phylogenetic endemism. Four new centers of endemism in northern and western China were also identified. Arid and semiarid regions in Northwest China were found to be linked to significant phylogenetic endemism. Additionally, six high-priority conservation areas were identified by overlaying China's nature reserves with areas of significant phylogenetic endemism.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Damaris M. Matten, Ida M. Mienna, Vanessa C. Bieker, Brent D. Mishler, Victoria S. Moen, Malene Nygaard, Katariina E. M. Vuorinen, Mika Bendiksby, Michael D. Martin, James D. M. Speed
Summary: Protected areas are an important strategy for conserving biodiversity, but they often overlook phylogenetic diversity. This study assesses the phylogenetic diversity and species richness of vascular plants in Fennoscandian protected areas, comparing them to areas outside of protection. The results suggest that protected areas in Fennoscandia have more plant diversity when larger, and that phylogenetic diversity increases faster with area than species richness.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Moises Guardiola, Llorenc Saez
Summary: This study calculated taxonomic and phylogenetic metrics for the endemic flora of the Balearic Islands and identified spatial patterns and environmental factors that explain the endemism. Hotspots of species and phylogenetic endemism were identified, and gaps in the protected areas were highlighted. This study demonstrates the importance of considering both taxonomic and phylogenetic information in conservation planning.
Article
Ecology
Gabriela P. Camacho, Ana Carolina Loss, Brian L. Fisher, Bonnie B. Blaimer
Summary: The study assessed the spatial patterns of diversity and endemism in Malagasy ants to identify centers of endemism and evaluate the 'museum vs. cradle' hypothesis. Results showed that neo- and mixed endemism centers were correlated with higher elevations, while paleo-endemism centers were associated with lower elevations. Mountainous areas were found to be cradles of recent diversification for acrobat ants, while lower elevations acted as museums for relict lineages.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marwan Cheikh Albassatneh, Marcial Escudero, Anne-Christine Monnet, Juan Arroyo, Gianni Baccheta, Francesca Bagnoli, Panayotis Dimopoulos, Arndt Hampe, Agathe Leriche, Frederic Medail, Toni Nikolic, Loic Ponger, Giovanni Giuseppe Vendramin, Bruno Fady
Summary: The study aims to understand tree biodiversity patterns in the Mediterranean and provide indicators for better forest protection. High phylogenetic diversity and endemism were found in Southern Spain, Cyprus, some Aegean islands, and eastern Sicily, highlighting these areas as high priority targets for European tree flora conservation.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Antoni Buira, Mario Fernandez-Mazuecos, Carlos Aedo, Rafael Molina-Venegas
Summary: This study reveals the environmental factors driving recent plant diversification in the Mediterranean Basin, with eudicots primarily influenced by high soil pH and dry-seasonal climate conditions, while monocots are associated with high elevation and less seasonal climate. The contrasting environmental drivers of diversification in eudicots and monocots emphasize the importance of analyzing spatial phylogenetic patterns at multiple scales to better understand biodiversity processes.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shukherdorj Baasanmunkh, Magsar Urgamal, Batlai Oyuntsetseg, Alisa Grabovskaya-Borodina, Khurelpurev Oyundelger, Zagarjav Tsegmed, Vanjil Gundegmaa, Alexey A. Kechaykin, Andrey I. Pyak, Li Qing Zhao, Hyeok Jae Choi
Summary: The study updated the checklist of vascular plants endemic to Mongolia, revealing that most endemic species are distributed in western and central Mongolia, with high species richness in the Mongolian Altai, Khangai, Dzungarian Gobi, and Gobi Altai phytogeographical regions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kuiling Zu, Cancan Zhang, Fusheng Chen, Zhiyong Zhang, Shahid Ahmad, Ghulam Nabi
Summary: This study examined the distribution patterns of species richness and phylogenetic diversity along the latitudinal gradients in Chinese Nature Reserves. The results showed that both species richness and phylogenetic diversity increased with latitude in China. Temperature was found to be strongly correlated with species diversity and phylogenetic structure. These findings contribute to our understanding of species diversity and provide support for biodiversity conservation in China.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Melanie Tietje, Alexandre Antonelli, Felix Forest, Rafael Govaerts, Stephen A. Smith, Miao Sun, William J. Baker, Wolf L. Eiserhardt
Summary: Regions with high unique phylogenetic diversity (PD) are important for conservation. The global distribution of plant PD remains poorly understood, but our analysis using a comprehensive global checklist of vascular plants identifies hotspots of unique plant PD. Our results support three hypotheses: PD is more evenly distributed than species diversity, areas of highest PD do not maximize cumulative PD, and multiple biomes are needed to maximize cumulative PD.
Article
Plant Sciences
Raees Khan, Robert S. S. Hill, Jie Liu, Ed Biffin
Summary: Podocarpaceae is the second largest conifer family with diverse and functional traits, dominating the Southern Hemisphere. However, comprehensive studies on its diversity, distribution, systematics, and ecophysiological aspects are lacking. This study aims to outline and evaluate the current and past diversity, distribution, systematics, ecophysiological adaptations, endemism, and conservation status of podocarps. Through analyzing data on living and extinct macrofossil taxa and combining it with genetic data, an updated phylogeny is reconstructed and historical biogeography is understood. Podocarpaceae includes 20 genera and approximately 219 taxa, distributed in three clades, and shows remarkable adaptations from leaves to seeds, dispersal methods, and plant types, as well as a complex pattern of seed and leaf functional trait evolution.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Qing Wang, Jihong Huang, Runguo Zang, Zhenping Li, Yousry A. El-Kassaby
Summary: By studying the centres of neo-and paleo- endemism in China, important information about their evolutionary history and conservation priorities can be obtained. This study used a comprehensive dataset and a phylogenetic approach to identify 22 major and several minor centres of endemism in China. New areas of conservation importance were identified, and it was found that centres of paleo-endemism should be considered as conservation priority areas due to their vulnerability to global drought.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Stephen J. Murphy
Summary: The use of geopolitical and administrative boundaries as sampling units can lead to biases in estimating biodiversity metrics, with larger units resulting in higher estimates of species richness and phylogenetic diversity. However, using GABs can also lead to under- and overestimation of endemism compared to fine-resolution grid-based estimates, as well as identifying different biodiversity hotspots. Understanding these biases is crucial for accurately mapping biodiversity patterns and identifying conservation priorities.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gary K. Nicolau, Shelley Edwards
Summary: South Africa is known for its high diversity and endemism of reptiles, particularly lizards. These factors have significant implications in various fields, especially in conservation. The richness, diversity, and endemism of Gekkonidae species in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini were evaluated, taking into account their phylogenetic relationships. The study also identified regions with neo- and/or paleoendemics using the CANAPE method. Southern African gekkonids showed the highest diversity and endemism in three regions: the northwestern Richtersveld, the west to southeast escarpment, and the northeastern escarpment in the Limpopo province. The implications for conservation priorities are discussed.
Article
Biology
Konstantinos Kougioumoutzis, Ioannis P. Kokkoris, Maria Panitsa, Athanasios Kallimanis, Arne Strid, Panayotis Dimopoulos
Summary: This study conducted phylogenetically informed identification of vascular plant diversity hotspots and endemism centres in Greece for the first time, aiming to comply with international biodiversity targets. The results provide valuable insights into conservation prioritization and reveal gaps in current protection schemes. This work contributes to national conservation efforts and highlights the need for a critical re-assessment of conservation strategies to safeguard Greek plant diversity.
Article
Biology
Abhishek Gopal, D. K. Bharti, Navendu Page, Kyle G. Dexter, Ramanathan Krishnamani, Ajith Kumar, Jahnavi Joshi
Summary: The Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot with high diversity and endemicity of woody plants. The southern region of the Western Ghats acts as both a museum and cradle of evolutionary diversity, with a higher proportion of old and young lineages restricted to this area. The high geo-climatic stability and moist climate in the south contribute to the diversity gradient in this region.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Yunlan Jiang, Lu Yue, Fan Yang, Jessica P. Gillung, Shaun L. Winterton, Benjamin W. Price, Atilano Contreras-Ramos, Fumio Hayashi, Ulrike Aspoeck, Horst Aspoeck, David K. Yeates, Ding Yang, Xingyue Liu
Summary: The breakup of Pangaea has played a crucial role in shaping the biogeographical patterns of terrestrial biotas since the Middle Jurassic, with aquatic insects presenting valuable insights into biogeographical hypotheses due to their unique distribution patterns and divergences. The phylogeny of Megaloptera, based on extensive mitochondrial genome sequencing, indicates deep divergences predating Pangaea's breakup, with subsequent intergeneric divergences driven by both vicariance and dispersal during the Cretaceous, resulting in complex and incongruent biogeographical signals. The colonization of corydalids from Eurasia to the south and Eurasian alderflies from the south to the north during the Cretaceous demonstrates diverse dispersal patterns in response to shifting continents.
Article
Ecology
Annia Rodriguez-San Pedro, Juan Luis Allendes, Clemente A. Beltran, Marcelo Mayorga, Patricio Pliscoff
Summary: New records of Davison's Mastiff Bat Promops davisoni in northern Chile have extended its distribution range approximately 60 km southward to the Chaca and Camarones valleys in the province of Arica. The study suggests a wide distribution and relative abundance of P. davisoni in the coastal valleys of the Arica province and surrounding urban areas, with remarkable habitat diversity.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao-Xia Zhang, Jian-Fei Ye, Shawn W. Laffan, Brent D. Mishler, Andrew H. Thornhill, Li-Min Lu, Ling-Feng Mao, Bing Liu, You-Hua Chen, An-Ming Lu, Joseph T. Miller, Zhi-Duan Chen
Summary: The flora of China is known for its high diversity and endemism. In this study, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify centers of endemism in the Chinese angiosperm flora. The results showed that mountainous regions in China have high levels of phylogenetic endemism. Four new centers of endemism in northern and western China were also identified. Arid and semiarid regions in Northwest China were found to be linked to significant phylogenetic endemism. Additionally, six high-priority conservation areas were identified by overlaying China's nature reserves with areas of significant phylogenetic endemism.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Federico Luebert, Taryn Fuentes-Castillo, Patricio Pliscoff, Nicolas Garcia, Maria Jose Roman, Diego Vera, Rosa A. Scherson
Summary: The estimation of biodiversity patterns in poorly known areas is often limited by data availability and biased collecting efforts. In this study, the researchers explored the use of higher-rank taxonomic units and species distribution models (SDMs) to overcome these limitations. They used Chile as a case study and evaluated the spatial agreement of biodiversity measures at different aggregation levels and taxonomic levels. The results showed that genera and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) can serve as good surrogates for species in estimating biodiversity patterns. Furthermore, the use of SDMs improved the accuracy of biodiversity estimates, especially at a resolution of 75 km.
Article
Forestry
Melita C. Low, Nele Schmitz, Laura E. Boeschoten, Jose A. Cabezas, Mathias Cramm, Volker Haag, Gerald Koch, Barbara R. V. Meyer-Sand, Kathelyn Paredes-Villanueva, Erin Price, Andrew H. Thornhill, Jo Van Brusselen, Pieter A. Zuidema, Victor Deklerck, Eleanor E. Dormontt, Alison Shapcott, Andrew J. Lowe
Summary: Illegal logging and timber trade is a global issue that can be addressed through anatomical, genetic, and chemical techniques for species and origin verification. Specific test methods for important timber species are lacking. Research shows that species identification can be achieved through wood anatomy (100%), genetics (86%), DART TOFMS (41%), and NIRS (6%), while only 24% of taxa have data for origin identification, mainly relying on genetic approaches. No forensic-ready tests have been developed for global priority timber taxa. More research is needed to determine the geographical origin of timber, and it may take around 27 years to generate geographic data for all priority taxa. The study highlights research opportunities to enhance global timber tracing efforts and emphasizes the importance of scientific verification for combating illegal logging.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David E. Uribe-Rivera, Gurutzeta Guillera-Arroita, Saras M. Windecker, Patricio Pliscoff, Brendan A. Wintle
Summary: Ecological models used for predicting range change have recently become more diverse, incorporating a greater number of ecological and observational processes. However, there is a lack of empirical validation for process-explicit models, with only a few models being tested for their predictive performance and none being tested for model transferability. This study highlights the need for more benchmark testing and focus on model transferability to properly assess the performance of process-explicit models.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Braxton R. Jones, Paul D. Brock, Barbara Mantovani, Perry Beasley-Hall, David K. Yeates, Nathan Lo
Summary: The taxonomy of the Austrocarausius stick insect genus was revised using morphological and molecular analyses, resulting in the discovery of nine new species. The study also estimated the evolutionary timescale of the genus and found that the species diversified over the last 25-70 million years, with endemic distributions in the tropical rainforests of central and northern Queensland.
INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isaac S. Winkler, Ashley H. Kirk-Spriggs, Keith M. Bayless, John Soghigian, Rudolf Meier, Thomas Pape, David K. Yeates, A. Bernardo Carvalho, Robert S. Copeland, Brian M. Wiegmann
Summary: The Ephydroidea superfamily is divided into eight families, including several small groups with challenging taxonomic placement. To address this issue, researchers conducted phylogenomic sampling and found that Ephydridae is an early branching group, and Mormotomyiidae is the sister lineage to all other families. This study reaffirms the importance of sampling both taxa and characters in phylogenomic reconstruction.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoyan Zhang, Xiuqin Ci, Jianlin Hu, Yang Bai, Andrew H. Thornhill, John G. Conran, Jie Li
Summary: This study aimed to identify climatic refugia for plant biodiversity in the portion of the Mekong River Basin located in Xishuangbanna, China. The results showed potential shifts in threatened woody species and identified riparian areas as potential climatic refugia. The spatial biodiversity patterns were influenced by temperature, precipitation, and elevation heterogeneity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cristian Perez, Patricio Pliscoff, Javier A. Simonetti
Summary: Due to the Aichi targets, the international community has committed to sustainable management of silvoagricultural activities and elimination or reform of detrimental subsidies for biodiversity conservation. In Chile, the Instruments of Productive Promotion to Finance Field Work (IPP-FFW) framework has been used to fund activities related to silvoagricultural systems. Concerns have been raised regarding the need to evaluate their effectiveness and carry out impact assessments systematically.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sergio T. Ibanez, Melica Munoz-Schick, Rosa A. Scherson, Andres Moreira-Munoz
Summary: The discovery of a new species, Diplostephium paposanum, has extended the southern distribution of the genus. Morphological and molecular data confirmed its position within the genus. This new species was found in a coastal environment in Chile, geographically far from other Chilean species. Its presence contributes to the evidence of a floristic connection between the Atacama Desert and the Neotropical Andes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Daniela Mardones, Rosa A. Scherson
Summary: Given the continuous loss of biodiversity, it is urgent to study its patterns and implement conservation measures. Incorporating evolutionary aspects into traditional biodiversity measures allows us to understand the historical processes behind current biodiversity. In this study, patterns of richness and endemism were compared with phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic endemism indices for woody flora in Chile. Evolutionary hotspots were identified, indicating the importance of considering evolutionary aspects in conservation efforts.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Run Zhou, Xiuqin Ci, Jianlin Hu, Xiaoyan Zhang, Guanlong Cao, Jianhua Xiao, Zhifang Liu, Lang Li, Andrew H. Thornhill, John G. Conran, Jie Li
Summary: Species in transitional areas show adaptive responses to climate change, making these areas crucial for biodiversity conservation. Evaluation of biodiversity patterns and identification of hotspots and priority areas can help mitigate climate change effects.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Michael F. Braby, David K. Yeates, Leo Joseph
Summary: The decline of woodland birds globally is well-known, and likely caused by multiple factors such as habitat fragmentation and the invasion of exotic species. Similarly, declines in insect populations have been observed worldwide in recent years, especially in areas of intensive agriculture or urbanization. Considering that many woodland birds rely on insects for food, it is important to investigate whether the loss of food resources is also contributing to bird declines. Further research in this area is encouraged.
EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Markus Osaland Fjelde, Einar Timdal, Reidar Haugan, Mika Bendiksby
Summary: This study investigated the taxonomy of the crustose lichen genus Calvitimela using molecular phylogenetics and morphological observations. The results revealed evolutionarily old and deeply divergent lineages within Calvitimela, with overlapping morphological characters between different subgenera. Chemical characters were informative at the level of subgenera but often homoplastic at the species level. A practical taxonomy of Calvitimela was proposed based on these findings.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bo-Yang Shi, Da Pan, Kang-Qin Zhang, Tian-Yu Gu, Darren C. J. Yeo, Peter K. L. Ng, Neil Cumberlidge, Hong-Ying Sun
Summary: This study investigates the evolutionary history and speciation mechanisms of montane potamids in the Hengduan Mountains Region. The results suggest that the vicariance events of these crabs are correlated with the emergence of sky islands due to the uplift of the mountains. The mountain ridges provided corridors for their dispersal and past climatic conditions played a crucial role in their evolutionary history. The mechanisms isolating sky islands are reinforced by the climatic features of dry-hot valleys and continue to affect local diversification.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Attila Nemeth, Edvard Mizsei, Levente Laczko, David Czaban, Zsolt Hegyeli, Szabolcs Lengyel, Gabor Csorba, Gabor Sramko
Summary: Species delimitation of European blind mole rats is challenging due to their small morphological differences and complex chromosomal evolution. This study provides a comprehensive framework to improve understanding of their evolutionary history and revise their taxonomy. The results reveal the presence of multiple superspecies and species, with distinct geographic patterns and rapid chromosomal evolution.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Qi, Zhaoyan Zhong, Xu Liu, Xing He, Yadong Zhou, Lili Zhang, Chong Chen, Katrin Linse, Jian-Wen Qiu, Jin Sun
Summary: This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships among patellogastropod families using mitochondrial and phylogenomic data. The results show that the mitochondrial phylogeny recovers monophyly of most families, but the relationships among families are still contentious. However, a more robust family-level topology consistent with morphology is achieved by phylogenomics. Additionally, the mainly deep-water families are found to be monophyletic, suggesting a single colonization of the deep water during the Jurassic.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Jie Shi, Jin -Liang Huang, Jia-Xuan Mi, Jing Li, Fan-Yu Meng, Yu Zhong, Fang He, Fei -Fei Tian, Fan Zhang, Liang-Hua Chen, Han-Bo Yang, Hong-Lin Hu, Xue-Qin Wan
Summary: Despite numerous studies on hybrid speciation, our understanding of this process remains limited. In this study, we conducted an 18-year systematic investigation on Populus taxa on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and discovered three new taxa that originated from distant hybridization between two different sections. These hybrid taxa demonstrate greater ecological adaptability than their ancestral species due to heterosis. We propose a hybrid speciation process model that can explain important evolutionary concerns.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Cho, Denis Tikhonenkov, Gordon Lax, Kristina I. Prokina, Patrick J. Keeling
Summary: Unlike conspicuous ochrophytes, many small and overlooked flagellates belonging to basally branching stramenopiles remain poorly characterized at the cellular or genomic level. This study describes four new species, including two new genera, of sediment-dwelling MAST-6 and provides updated phylogenomic tree of stramenopiles. The characterization of these flagellates is important due to their phylogenetic diversity and abundance in various environments.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tian-Tian Xue, Steven B. Janssens, Bin-Bin Liu, Sheng-Xiang Yu
Summary: Phylogenomic conflicts are widespread among genomic data, with most previous studies primarily focusing on nuclear datasets instead of organellar genomes. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic conflicts within and between plastid and mitochondrial genomes using Potentilla as a case study. We found that both plastid and mitochondrial genomes divided Potentilla into eight highly supported clades, with two newly identified clades. Our results demonstrate that mitochondrial genes can fully resolve phylogenetic relationships among major clades of Potentilla and are not always linked with plastomes in evolutionary history.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra A. Grossi, Chunpo Tian, Mengjiao Ren, Fasheng Zou, Daniel R. Gustafsson
Summary: This study suggests that the coevolutionary relationships between chewing lice, endosymbiotic bacteria, and birds are not independent, but the patterns vary depending on the analysis method used. Additionally, louse host-switching does not seem to affect bacterial strains.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Olivares, Sergio Tusso, Maria Jose Sanin, Marylaure de La Harpe, Oriane Loiseau, Jonathan Rolland, Nicolas Salamin, Michael Kessler, Kentaro K. Shimizu, Margot Paris
Summary: Traditionally, differences between species have been associated with morphological variation. However, the discovery of cryptic diversity suggests that the evolution of distinct lineages can occur without morphological differences. Through genetic analysis, we found that a tropical montane plant lineage is composed of numerous unrecognized genetic groups that are not morphologically distinct. Geographic distance and topography play a crucial role in determining the genetic divergence of these groups.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
