The Rand Flora is a well-known floristic pattern in which unrelated plant lineages show similar disjunct distributions the continental margins of Africa and adjacent islands-Macaronesia-northwest Africa, Horn Africa-Southern Arabia, Eastern Southern Africa. These are now separated by environmental barriers such as arid regions Sahara Kalahari Deserts or tropical lowlands Central Alternative explanations for range from vicariance climate-driven extinction widespread pan-African flora to...

iNaturalist defines itself as an “online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature” and it is likely one the largest citizen science web portals in world, every year millions observations across thousands species are gathered collectively compiled by engaged community nearly 3 million users (November 2023). The strengths potentialities that explain success platform reviewed include, among others, its usability low technical requirements,...

Abstract The Eastern African Afromontane forest is getting increased attention in conservation studies because of its high endemicity levels and shrinking geographic distribution. Phylogeographic have found evidence genetic variation structured across the Great Rift System. Here, we use epiphytic plant species Canarina eminii to explore causal explanations for this pattern. analyses were undertaken using plastid regions AFLP fragments. Population analyses, Statistical Parsimony, Bayesian...

Abstract Transoceanic distributions have attracted the interest of scientists for centuries. Less attention has been paid to evolutionary origins ‘continent‐wide’ disjunctions, in which related taxa are distributed across isolated regions within same continent. A prime example is ‘Rand Flora’ pattern, shows sister disjunctly continental margins Africa. Here, we explore this pattern using genus Canarina , with three species: C. canariensis associated Canarian laurisilva, and eminii abyssinica...

Abstract Aim The loss of dispersal on islands hypothesis ( LDIH ) posits that wind‐dispersed plants should exhibit reduced potential, particularly if island populations are old. In this study, we tested using a detailed phylogeographical framework across different geographical scales. Location Mainland and areas the Atlantic Mediterranean regions, including Macaronesia (Canary Islands Cape Verde) in strait Sicily. Methods Forty‐five Periploca laevigata , shrub, were sampled. Plastid nuclear...

Geographical isolation by oceanic barriers and climatic stability has been postulated as some of the main factors driving diversification within volcanic archipelagos. However, few studies have focused on effect that catastrophic events had patterns within-island differentiation in geological time. This study employed data from chloroplast (cpDNA haplotypes) nuclear (AFLPs) genomes to examine genetic variation Canarina canariensis, an iconic plant species associated with endemic laurel...

Abstract Inferring general biogeographic patterns in the sub‐Antarctic region has been challenging due to disparate geological origins of its islands and archipelagos—ranging from Gondwanan fragments uplifted seafloor more recently formed volcanic islands—and remoteness these island systems, spread around austral continental landmasses. Here, we conduct phylogenetic reconstruction, divergence time estimation, Bayesian Island Biogeographic analyses reconstruct spatio–temporal colonization...

Archipelagos provide a valuable framework for investigating phenotypic evolution under different levels of geographical isolation. Here, we analysed two co-distributed, widespread plant lineages to examine if incipient island differentiation follows parallel patterns variation in traits related dispersal and colonization. Twenty-one populations anemochorous Canarian endemics, Kleinia neriifolia Periploca laevigata, were sampled represent mainland congeners contrasting exposures across all...

Abstract Aim The disjunct distribution patterns of sister taxa can arise when previously continuous ranges are fragmented by environmental changes such as major climatic events. Populations become isolated on either side the newly established barrier, and absence gene flow promotes allopatric speciation, in a process that is known ecological vicariance. If climate change altered ancestral range gradually, along temporal temperature or moisture gradients, age divergence species should be...

Abstract Subtropical islands are often viewed as refuges where Quaternary climatic shifts driving global episodes of extinction were buffered. Island biodiversity, however, may have been impacted by fluctuations at local scales, particularly in spatially heterogeneous island systems. In this study, we generated a conceptual framework for predicting the potential impact Pleistocene extinctions on biogeographical pattern Canarian spermatophyte flora, with focus easternmost ( ECI ). Then,...

The origin of different cytotypes by autopolyploidy may be an important mechanism in plant diversification. Although cryptic autopolyploids probably comprise the largest fraction overlooked diversity, our knowledge their and evolution is still rather limited. Here we study presumed autopolyploid aggregate Aster amellus, which encompasses diploid hexaploid cytotypes. A. amellus are not morphologically distinguishable, previous studies showed spatial segregation limited gene flow between them,...

Abstract The link between the successful establishment of alien species and propagule pressure is well‐documented. Less known how humans influence post‐introduction dynamics invasive populations. latter requires studying parallel invasions by same in habitats that are differently impacted humans. We analysed microsatellite genome size variation, then compared genetic diversity structure Poa annua L. on two sub‐Antarctic islands: human‐occupied Marion Island unoccupied Prince Edward Island....

Abstract The distribution of genetic variation in species is governed by factors that act differently across spatial scales. To tease apart the contribution different processes, especially at intermediate scales, it useful to study simple ecosystems such as those on sub‐Antarctic oceanic islands. In this study, we characterize patterns two keystone plant species, Azorella selago Marion Island and macquariensis Macquarie Island. Although both islands experience a similar climate have...

Various studies and conservationist reports have warned about the contraction of last subtropical Afro-Macaronesian forests. These relict vegetation zones been restricted to a few oceanic continental islands around edges Africa, due aridification. Previous on species generally focused glacial effects narrow endemics; however, little is known aridification fates previously widespread lineages.Nuclear microsatellites ecological niche modelling were used understand observed patterns genetic...

Abstract Aim Species with widespread distributions offer excellent opportunities for investigating recent biogeographical patterns across broad scales. Here, we tested the hypothesis that, due to its intermediate geographical location, NW Africa is pivotal in explaining phylogeographical of taxa Mediterranean–Macaronesian using a legume species short generation times. Location Mediterranean, focus on and Canary Islands. Taxon Pitch trefoil ( Bituminaria bituminosa ). Methods We generated...

Abstract Aim The afroalpine sky‐islands present one of the most interesting models to study discrete biogeographic patterns in a terrestrial island system. Here, we performed range‐wide sampling clade fine‐leaved Festuca grasses and address set hypotheses on its origin dispersal. We focus widespread species F . abyssinica explore role eastern western African sky‐islands. Location Tropical Africa. Taxon Afroalpine Methods combine data from field surveys, phylogeography, coalescence‐based...

Genera that are widespread, with geographically discontinuous distributions and represented by few species, intriguing. Is their achieved disjunct distribution recent or ancient in origin? Why they species-poor? The Rand Flora is a continental-scale pattern which closely related species appear codistributed isolated regions over the continental margins of Africa. Genus Camptoloma (Scrophulariaceae) most notable example, comprising three from each other on northwest, eastern, southwest...

Abstract Biological invasions in remote areas that experience low human activity provide unique opportunities to elucidate processes responsible for invasion success. Here we study the most widespread invasive plant species across isolated islands of Southern Ocean, annual bluegrass, Poa annua . To analyse geographical variation genome size, genetic diversity and reproductive strategies, sampled all major sub‐Antarctic archipelagos this region generated microsatellite data 470 individual...

Geographic range shifts are one major organism response to climate change, especially if the rate of change is higher than that species adaptation. Ecological niche models (ENM) and biogeographic inferences often used in estimating effects climatic oscillations on dynamics. ENMs can be track suitable areas over time, but have been limited shallow timescales; inference reach greater evolutionary depth, lacks spatial resolution. Here, we present a simple approach treats them as independent...

Acaulon mediterraneum Limpr. Pallavicinia lyellii (Hook.) Carruth.

Cuesta imaginar que hace tan solo siete millones de años, cuando el Mioceno estaba llegando a su fin, norte África era un territorio húmedo, donde se extendía una vegetación carácter subtropical. Sin embargo, intensoperiodo actividad tectónica punto comenzar: la Placa Africana elevando en parte este, proceso iba formar los actuales arcos montañosos torno al Gran Valle del Rift (Figura 1). Este levantamiento topográfico creó gran sombra lluvia orográfica, dio lugar primeros signos...