• Modern tropical rainforests have the highest biodiversity of terrestrial biomes and are restricted to three low-latitude areas. However, actual timeframe during which began appear on a global scale has been intensely disputed. Here, we used moonseed family (Menispermaceae), an important physiognomic structural component worldwide basis, obtain new insights into diversification this biome. We integrated phylogenetic, biogeographic molecular dating methods analyse temporal spatial patterns...

The rise of angiosperms has been regarded as a trigger for the Cretaceous revolution terrestrial ecosystems. However, timeframe angiosperm-dominated herbaceous floras (ADHFs) is lacking. Here, we used buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) proxy to provide insights into ADHFs. An integration phylogenetic, molecular dating, ancestral state inferring, and diversification analytical methods was infer early evolutionary history Ranunculaceae. We found that Ranunculaceae became differentiated in...

Abstract The interplay of key innovation and ecological opportunity is commonly recognized to be the catalyst for rapid radiation. Underground storage organs (USOs), as a vital trait, are advantageous adaptation plants extreme environments, but receive less attention compared aboveground organs. Repeated evolution various USOs has occurred across plant tree life. However, whether repeated occurrences USO in different clades group can promote its replicated radiations combination with...

Abstract The Arctic and the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) are two northern regions with most extensive cold habitats on Earth have undergone dramatic warming in recent decades. However, we know little about historical connection of QTP biotas their respective diversification processes. Here, used Meconopsis Oreomecon, an Arctic–QTP disjunct angiosperm genus pair poor seed dispersal abilities, to shed light evolutionary floras patterns. Our results show that Meconopsis-Oreomecon clade colonized...

The genus Abuta constitutes the second most diverse taxon within Neotropical Menispermaceae. In this research, we document and analyze 12 species recorded Peruvian territory, presenting comprehensive morphological characterizations of each compiling these into a dichotomous identification key. We provide photographic documentation specimens, encompassing both in situ observations herbarium for all with exception A. aristeguietae. This study incorporates detailed analyses geographic...

We used the chloroplast gene ndhF to reconstruct phylogeny of moonseed family (Menispermaceae), a morphologically diverse and poorly known cosmopolitan dioecious, primarily climbing plants. This study includes worldwide sample DNA sequences for 88 species representing 49 70 genera all eight traditionally recognized tribes. Phylogenetic relationships were estimated, Shimodaira–Hasegawa test was compare likelihood alternative phylogenetic hypotheses evaluate monophyly tribes currently in use....

The dominant species of a biome can be regarded as its genuine indicator. Evergreen broadleaved forests (EBLFs) in subtropical East Asia harbor high levels biodiversity and endemism are vital to regional carbon storage cycling. However, the historical assembly this unique is still controversial. Fagaceae most essential family Asian EBLFs for existence biome. Here, we used shed light on dynamic process over time. Our results indicate precipitation summer low temperature winter influential...

Abstract The Menispermaceae, a largely tropical family of dioecious and predominantly climbing plants, have been the subject various molecular studies that confirmed its monophyly para‐ polyphyly most currently recognized tribes. newly assemblages variously named informally in different studies. Here we present comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis Menispermaceae based on analyses three markers (matK, trnL‐F, ndhF) 41 morphological characters for extensive taxonomic geographic sampling as...

Abstract Temperate South American–Asian disjunct distributions are the most unusual in organisms, and challenging to explain. Here, we address origin of this disjunction Lardizabalaceae using explicit models molecular data. The family ( c. 40 species distributed ten genera) also provides an opportunity explore historical assembly East Asian subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests, a typical luxuriant vegetation Asia. DNA sequences five plastid loci 42 accessions representing 23 57.5%...

Ex situ origins and dispersal of taxa have played important roles in the assembly island-like biodiversity hotspots. Insular limestone karsts Southeast Asia are hotspots endemism, but immigration processes their unique floras still poorly known. Here, we used Gesneriaceae as a proxy to investigate dynamics tropical subtropical Asian karst floras. We present most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis Old World gesneriads date based on twelve loci. By estimating divergence times reconstructing...

Caves are home to unique and fragile biotas with high levels of endemism. However, little is known about how the biotic colonization caves has developed over time, especially in from middle low latitudes. Subtropical East Asia holds world's largest karst landform numerous ancient caves, which harbor a diversity cave-dwelling organisms regarded as biodiversity hotspot. Here, we assess temporal dynamics subtropical Asian through multi-taxon analysis representatives green plants, animals,...

The southeastward extrusion of Indochina along the Ailao Shan-Red River shear zone (ARSZ) is one two most prominent consequences India-Asia collision. This plate-scale has greatly changed Southeast Asian topography and drainage patterns effected regional climate biotic evolution. However, little known about how was extruded toward southeast over time. Here, we sampled 42 plant animal clades (together encompassing 1,721 species) that are distributed across ARSZ not expected to disperse long...

Abstract The phylogeny of extant Menispermaceae (Ranunculales) is reconstructed based on DNA sequences two chloroplast genes (rbcL and atpB) from 94 species belonging to 56 genera. Fossilized endocarps represent 34 positions these are inferred using 30 morphological characters the molecular as a backbone constraint. Nine thirteen nodes that each dated by fossil used calibration points for estimates divergence times. BEAST estimate stem age (121.2 Myr) crown (105.4 Menispermaceae. This method...

The evolutionary history of organisms with poor dispersal abilities usually parallels geological events. Collisions the Indian and Arabian plates Eurasia greatly changed Asian topography affected regional global climates as well biotic evolution. However, evolution Asia related to these two collisions remains debated. Here, we used Eranthis , an angiosperm genus seed ability a discontinuous distribution across Eurasia, shed light on orogenesis Qinghai–Tibetan, Iranian Mongolian Plateaus. Our...

Abstract The Arctic tundra is a relatively young and new type of biome especially sensitive to the impacts global warming. However, little known about how flora was shaped over time. Here we investigate origin evolutionary dynamics by sampling 32 angiosperm clades that together encompass 3626 species. We show dispersal into in situ diversification within have similar trends through time, initiating at approximately 10–9 Ma, increasing sharply around 2.6 peaking 1.0–0.7 Ma. Additionally,...

Abstract Papaveraceae, commonly known as the poppy family, contains many species with horticultural and/or pharmaceutical importance and has been subject of various molecular studies. However, a widely accepted tribal classification for Papaveraceae remains lacking. In this study, we used sampling covering all 48 currently recognized genera Papaveraceae. Our study is to employ broad morphological data in combination sequence from two nuclear seven plastid DNA regions reconstruct phylogenetic...

Abstract Aim The integration of palaeontological and phylogenetic data can improve our understanding in the spatio‐temporal evolutionary processes living organisms. However, how best to use fossil divergence time estimation ancestral range reconstruction remains challenging. Here, we integrated molecular investigate historical biogeography Hamamelidaceae, a pantropical angiosperm family with abundant fossils outside its present distribution. Location Global tropical/subtropical areas....

The integration of morphological and molecular data is essential to understand the affinities fossil taxa spatio-temporal evolutionary processes organisms. However, homoplastic characters can mislead placement impact downstream analyses. Here, we provide an example how mitigate effectively effect homoplasy on biogeographic inferences Cissampelideae. We assembled three types, only, with a scaffold combined data. By removing high-level or reweighting characters, conducted 15 parsimony, 12...

Abstract Background and Aims Modern tropical rainforests house the highest biodiversity of Earth’s terrestrial biomes are distributed in three low-latitude areas. However, biogeographical patterns processes underlying distribution among these areas still poorly known. Here, we used Tiliacoreae, a tribe pantropical lianas with high level regional endemism, to provide new insights into relationships different continents. Methods Based on seven plastid two nuclear DNA regions, reconstructed...

Most members of the Menispermaceae, a family predominantly dioecious climbers, are characterized by having seeds that diverse in form, many which have an adaxial intrusion endocarp known as condyle. The condyle is distinctive feature variable shape has historically played prominent role taxonomy and classification family. To understand morphological basis condyle, I undertook developmental study carpels fruits selected lineages Menispermaceae related families Ranunculales. results indicated...

Abstract Traditional Tinospora is a heterogeneous genus, distributed in the African and Asian tropics as well Australia adjacent islands. Molecular phylogenetics has contributed greatly to improve our understanding of genus over past decade, however its circumscription yet unresolved. In this study, we present phylogenetic analysis Burasaieae using six molecular markers ( rbcL , atpB matK ndhF trnL‐F ITS), with focus on . Our results indicate that sampled species are three different clades....