Impact of Climate Change on North American Psoraleeae Diversification
Author Information
Author(s): Egan Ashley N, Crandall Keith A
Primary Institution: Brigham Young University
Hypothesis
Did a shift from mesic to xeric habitats act as a key innovation in the diversification of North American Psoraleeae?
Conclusion
The diversification rate shifts in North American Psoraleeae are influenced by past global climate change rather than current climate regimes.
Supporting Evidence
- NAm Psoraleeae represents a recent, rapid radiation with several genera originating during the Pleistocene.
- A shift in diversification rate is supported by both methods with a 2.67-fold increase suggested around 2 million years ago.
- The hypothesis that a climate regime shift from mesic to xeric habitats drove increased diversification was not supported.
Takeaway
This study shows that changes in climate a long time ago helped create new plant species in North America, not the climate we have today.
Methodology
The study used Bayesian MCMC sampling in BEAST to estimate divergence dates based on eight DNA regions and tested diversification rate shifts using topological and temporal methods.
Limitations
The study did not sample all recognized North American Psoraleeae taxa, with four taxa unsampled.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.00001
Statistical Significance
p<0.00001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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