Abstract Detail

Pteridology

Sessa, Emily [1], Testo, Weston [1], Kamau, Peris [2], Väre, Henry [3], Hannula, Liina [3], Rikkinen, Jouko [3], Juslén, Aino [3].

Evolutionary history of Asplenium in Africa.

Asplenium is one of the largest genera of ferns, with “at least 700 species”, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group (PPG 1). Asplenium species can be found throughout temperate and tropical regions globally, and species occur in a range of local microhabitat types, including as epiphytes or on various rocky substrates (indeed, some Asplenium species are commonly referred to as “rock ferns”). A limited number of studies published in the last 15 or so years have reconstructed the phylogenetic and biogeographical histories of various sets of Asplenium taxa, but so far without an explicit focus on the African taxa. Many basic questions exist about the phylogenetic affinities of ferns in Africa, including when various lineages colonized the continent, where those colonists came from, and whether or not they have subsequently been successful in diversifying on the continent. Answering these questions will be key for understanding the assembly of the African fern flora, and will depend on results from empirical studies on numerous lineages. We present the results of analyses on the phylogenetics, historical biogeography, and diversification processes of Asplenium using a global dataset, but with the strongest sampling to date of African species. We will discuss the implications of our findings in the context of a growing understanding of the history of the African fern flora.

1 - University Of Florida, Biology, Box 118525, 521A Bartram Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
2 - National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
3 - Finnish Museum of Natural History, Helsinki, Finland

Keywords:
ferns
Africa
Asplenium
Phylogenetics
biogeography
diversification.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: PTER2, Pteridology II
Location: San Pedro 1/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 2:00 PM
Number: PTER2003
Abstract ID:405
Candidate for Awards:None