A5057819378- Plant and animal studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Gut microbiota and health
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Tardigrade Biology and Ecology
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
University of Oxford
1995-2025
Imperial College London
2014-2024
Rothamsted Research
2021
University of California, Los Angeles
2014-2017
National Museum of Natural History
2014-2017
Smithsonian Institution
2014-2017
University of Cincinnati
2012-2017
University of Connecticut
2014-2017
Yale University
2017
Duke University
2017
Cataloging the very large number of undescribed species insects could be greatly accelerated by automated DNA based approaches, but procedures for large-scale discovery from sequence data are currently lacking. Here, we use mitochondrial variation to delimit in a poorly known beetle radiation genus Rivacindela arid Australia. Among 468 individuals sampled 65 sites and multiple morphologically distinguishable types, three mtDNA genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, cytochrome b, 16S ribosomal...
DNA barcoding-type studies assemble single-locus data from large samples of individuals and species, have provided new kinds for evolutionary surveys diversity. An important goal many such is to delimit evolutionarily significant species units, especially in biodiversity environmental samples. The Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) method a likelihood delimiting by fitting within- between-species branching models reconstructed gene trees. Although the has been widely used, it not...
DNA barcoding is a technique in which species identification performed by using sequences from small fragment of the genome, with aim contributing to wide range ecological and conservation studies traditional taxonomic not practical. well established animals, but there yet any universally accepted barcode for plants. Here, we undertook intensive field collections two biodiversity hotspots (Mesoamerica southern Africa). Using >1,600 samples, compared eight potential barcodes. Going beyond...
Beetles represent almost one-fourth of all described species, and knowledge about their relationships evolution adds to our understanding biodiversity. We performed a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis Coleoptera inferred from three genes nearly 1900 representing more than 80% the world's recognized beetle families. defined basal in Polyphaga supergroup, which contains over 300,000 established five families as earliest branching lineages. By dating phylogeny, we found that success beetles...
High-throughput DNA sequencing has the potential to accelerate species discovery if it is able recognize evolutionary entities from sequence data that are comparable species. The general mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) model estimates boundary surveys by identifying independently evolving lineages as a transition coalescent speciation branching patterns on phylogenetic tree. Applied here 12 families 4 orders of insects in Madagascar, we used delineate 370 putative mitochondrial variation among...
Angiosperms are among the major terrestrial radiations of life and a model group for studying patterns processes diversification. As tool future comparative studies, we compiled supertree angiosperm families from published phylogenetic studies. Sequence data plastid rbcL gene were used to estimate relative timing branching events, calibrated by using robust fossil dates. The frequency shifts in diversification rate is largely constant time windows but with an apparent increase rates within...
Abstract We propose in this paper to use three regions of plastid DNA as a standard protocol for barcoding all land plants. review the other markers that have been proposed and discuss their advantages disadvantages. The low levels variation make necessary; there are no regions, coding or non‐coding, evolve rapidly mitochondrial generally does animals. outline two, three‐region options, (1) rpoC1, rpoB 1matK (2) matK psbA‐trnH viable plant barcoding.
We introduce a general approach for investigating the role of geography in speciation, based on analyzing sister clades across all nodes species-level phylogeny. examine predictions allopatric, sympatric, and peripatric models speciation several animal groups, using patterns range overlap size symmetry between clades. A simple model cladogenesis incorporating random movements species' ranges is used to illustrate effects changes expected patterns. find evidence predominantly allopatric mode...
Area is generally assumed to affect speciation rates, but work on the spatial context of has focused mostly patterns range overlap between emerging species rather than questions geographical scale. A variety theories predict that probability occurring within a given region should (1) increase with size and (2) as extent intraspecific gene flow becomes smaller. Using survey events isolated oceanic islands for broad taxa, we find evidence both predictions. The in situ scales island area bats,...
Studies of evolutionary responses to novel environments typically consider single species or perhaps pairs interacting species. However, all organisms co-occur with many other species, resulting in dynamics that might not match those predicted using approaches. Recent theories predict interactions diverse systems can influence how component evolve response environmental change. In turn, evolution have consequences for ecosystem functioning. We used experimental communities five bacterial...
Eight years after DNA barcoding was formally proposed on a large scale, CO1 sequences are rapidly accumulating from around the world. While studies to date have mostly targeted local or regional species assemblages, recent launch of global iBOL project (International Barcode Life), highlights need understand effects geographical scale Barcoding's goals. Sampling has been central in debate Barcoding, but effect sampling not yet thoroughly and explicitly tested with empirical data. Here, we...
Asexuals are an important test case for theories of why species exist. If asexual clades displayed the same pattern discrete variation as sexual clades, this would challenge traditional view that sex is necessary diversification into species. However, critical evidence has been lacking: all putative examples have involved organisms with recent or ongoing histories recombination and relied on visual interpretation patterns genetic phenotypic rather than formal tests alternative evolutionary...
Molecular tools have revolutionized the exploration of biodiversity, especially in organisms for which traditional taxonomy is difficult, such as microscopic animals (meiofauna). Environmental (eDNA) metabarcode surveys DNA extracted from sediment samples are increasingly popular surveying biodiversity. Most eDNA use nuclear gene-encoding small-subunit rDNA gene (18S) a marker; however, different markers and metrics used delimiting species not yet been evaluated against each other or...
Summary Coalescent‐based species delimitation methods combine population genetic and phylogenetic theory to provide an objective means for delineating evolutionarily significant units of diversity. The generalised mixed Yule coalescent ( GMYC ) the Poisson tree process PTP are that use ultrametric or non‐ultrametric gene trees as input, intended mostly with single‐locus data such DNA barcodes. Here, we assess how robust different reconstruction branch smoothing methods. We reconstruct over...
Theories of how species evolve in changing environments mostly consider single isolation or pairs interacting species. Yet all organisms live diverse communities containing many hundreds This review discusses interactions influence the evolution constituent across whole communities. When are weak inconsistent, evolutionary dynamics should be predictable by factors identified single-species theory. Stronger interactions, however, can alter outcomes and either dampen promote depending on...
Abstract A major unresolved question is how bacteria living in complex communities respond to environmental changes. In communities, biotic interactions may either facilitate or constrain evolution depending on whether the expand contract range of ecological opportunities. fundamental challenge understand surrounding community modifies evolutionary trajectories as species adapt novel conditions. Here we show that context can dramatically alter dynamics using a approach ‘cages’ individual...
Abstract Co‐occurring species might be morphologically similar because they are adapted to the same environment, or dissimilar minimize competition. We use sister comparisons evaluate relationship between morphological disparity and regional patterns of co‐occurrence across carnivores. Up 63% variation in range overlap can explained by divergence dentition. Species that differ more carnassial tooth length their geographical range. Carnassials primary teeth associated with food processing,...
Many efforts to date evolutionary divergences by using a molecular clock have yielded age estimates that are grossly inconsistent with the paleontological evidence. Such discrepancies often attributed inadequacy of fossil record, but many potential sources error can affect molecular-based estimates. In this study, we minimize caused inaccurate topology and uncertain calibration times well-supported tree, multiple genes, well-substantiated dates explore correspondence between record for major...
What biological attributes of organisms promote speciation, and ultimately, species diversity? This question has a long history interest, with proposed diversity promoters including such as sexual selection, ecological specialism dispersability. However, ideas are difficult to test because the time–scale processes involved is too great for direct human observation experimentation. An increasingly powerful solution investigate patterns among extant groups infer nature operating during...
The latitudinal gradient in species richness is a pervasive feature of the living world, but its underlying causes remain unclear. We evaluated hypothesis that environmental energy drives evolutionary rates and thereby diversification flowering plants. estimated levels across angiosperm family distributions terms evapotranspiration, temperature UV radiation taken from satellite climate databases. Using most comprehensive DNA–based phylogenetic tree for angiosperms to date, analysis 86...
Abstract Despite growing interplay between ecological and evolutionary studies, the question of how biodiversity influences dynamics within species remains understudied. Here, using a classical model phenotypic evolution in occupying patchy environment, but introducing global change affecting patch conditions, we show that can inhibit species’ during change. The presence several increases chance one or more are pre‐adapted to new which restricts opportunity for responses all species....
The Cape region of South Africa is one the most remarkable hotspots biodiversity with a flora comprising more than 9000 plant species, almost 70% which are endemic, within an area only ± 90,000 km2. Much diversity due to exceptionally large contribution just few clades that radiated substantially this region, but little known about causes these radiations. Here, we present comprehensive analysis diversification, using near complete species-level phylogenies four major (more 470 species):...
Both pollination by animals and mycorrhizal symbioses with fungi are believed to have been important for the diversification of flowering plants. However, mechanisms which these above- belowground mutualisms affect plant speciation coexistence remain obscure. We provide evidence that shifts in traits both a diverse group orchids, whereas fungal partner but not speciation. Phylogenetic analyses show recently diverged orchid species tend either use different pollinator or place pollen on body...