Spatio‐temporal evolution of Fosterella (Bromeliaceae) in the Central Andean biodiversity hotspot. (11th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wagner, Natascha; Silvestro, Daniele; Brie, David; Ibisch, Pierre L.; Zizka, Georg; Weising, Kurt; Schulte, Katharina; Carine, Mark
• Is Part Of: Journal of biogeography. Volume 40:Number 5(2013:May)
• Page Start: 869
• Page End: 880
• Publication Date: 2012-12-11
• Subjects: Biogeography -- Periodicals; 578.09
• DOI: 10.1111/jbi.12052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-0270

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jbi12052-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jbi12052-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To reconstruct the spatio‐temporal evolution of <italic>Fosterella</italic> (Bromeliaceae), a genus characterized by a high degree of endemism in the Central Andes, and to account for contemporary patterns of diversity and distribution within the genus.</p> </sec> <sec id="jbi12052-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Location</title> <p> <italic>Fosterella</italic> has its centre of diversity in the Central Andes (24 species), where it occurs in two major biomes: the Yungas and seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF). The genus displays three major disjunctions: Amazonia (one species), Central America (one species), and the Brazilian Shield (five species).</p> </sec> <sec id="jbi12052-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Phylogenetic relationships within <italic>Fosterella</italic> were inferred based on six plastid DNA regions. Parsimony and likelihood methods, a Bayesian relaxed molecular clock, ancestral area reconstructions, and diversification rate analyses were used to infer the spatio‐temporal evolution of <italic>Fosterella</italic>.</p> </sec> <sec id="jbi12052-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The origin of extant lineages of <italic>Fosterella</italic> was placed in the late Miocene (<italic>c</italic>. 9.6 Ma) during the last rapid Andean uplift. SDTF and azonal lowland sites were inferred as the most likely ancestral habitats. The Yungas were colonized several times independently from <italic>c</italic>. 4.7 Ma onwards. Only one clade diversified in the Yungas, indicative of an ecological shift to moister and cooler conditions. Two recent long‐distance dispersals to Central America and to Amazonia were inferred. Diversification rates within <italic>Fosterella</italic> were found to be constant through time and comparatively low (0.4 species Myr<sup>−1</sup>).</p> </sec> <sec id="jbi12052-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Main conclusions</title> <p>Allopatric speciation is the main mode of diversification in <italic>Fosterella</italic>. The isolated distribution of suitable habitats fostered the evolution of a high degree of endemism. The low speciation rates in <italic>Fosterella</italic> contrast with high diversification rates of Andean high‐elevation taxa but are similar to other Andean low‐ to mid‐elevation taxa. The last rapid Andean uplift did not leave a detectable signature in the diversification rates of <italic>Fosterella</italic>.</p> </sec> </abstract>