Abstract Detail

Systematics

Whitlock, Barbara A. [1], Madriñán, Santiago [2], Richardson, James E. [3].

Contribution of mid-latitude lineages to the latitudinal gradient of diversity in Malvaceae.

Malvaceae are a primarily tropical family, with few lineages (e.g. Tilia and Malvoideae) occurring at high latitudes and high altitudes compared to other families of similar age and size. However, several lineages of Malvaceae occur at mid-latitudes, in arid, warm and Mediterranean-climate regions. Here, we use information from the taxonomic and floristic literature, combined with curated GBIF data, to identify lineages of Malvaceae that have expanded out of the tropics, including into mid-latitudes, to obtain a more detailed picture of the geographic distribution of species diversity. We identify at least nine lineages that extend beyond the tropics, primarily into the warm mid-latitude regions. We estimate diversification rates using a recently published time-calibrated phylogeny of Malvaceae and find that many mid-latitude lineages have higher diversification rates compared to their closest tropical relatives. The shift to higher latitudes often coincides with changes in growth form of the plants. These results are consistent with the conclusion that the latitudinal gradient in species diversity in Malvaceae is the result of a greater number of tropical lineages occupying more space for a longer period of time, rather than greater diversification rates in the tropics. They also suggest that the mid-latitude lineages contribute substantially to diversity in Malvaceae.

1 - University of Miami, Department of Biology, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
2 - Jardí­n Botánico de Cartagena "Guillermo Piñeres", Turbaco, Bolí­var, 131007, Colombia
3 - Universidad del Rosario, Programa de Biologí­a, Bogotá, Colombia

Keywords:
Malvaceae
species diversity
latitudinal gradient.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 12, Rosids II/Basal Asterids & Asterids I part A
Location: 102/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 2:30 PM
Number: 12005
Abstract ID:837
Candidate for Awards:None