Contrasting plant diversification histories within the Andean biodiversity hotspot

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1001317107
• Publication Date: 2010-07-20T04:50:30Z
• Authors: R. Toby Pennington; Matt Lavin; Tiina Särkinen; Gwilym P. Lewis; Bente B. Klitgaard; Colin E. Hughes
• Keywords: Biome; Biodiversity hotspot; Endemism; Ecoregion

The Andes are the most species-rich global biodiversity hotspot. Most research and conservation attention in has focused on biomes such as rain forest, cloud páramo, where much plant species diversity is hypothesized result of rapid speciation associated with recent Andean orogeny. In contrast to these mesic biomes, we present evidence for a different, older diversification history seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) occupying rain-shadowed inter-Andean valleys. High DNA sequence divergence Cyathostegia mathewsii , shrub endemic SDTF, indicates isolation at least 5 million years populations separated by only ca . 600 km high cordillera Peru. conjunction fossil indicating presence SDTF late Miocene, our data suggest that disjunct small valley pockets have persisted over millions years. These rich but massively impacted, merit better representation future plans science countries.