How to be a big genus? Ficus L. as an emerging model

• DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcaf101
• Publication Date: 2025-05-15T17:36:58Z
• Authors: Nicole Mitidieri-...; Elliot Gardner; Julianne Phipps; Nyree Zerega; Leandro C Pederne...; Alexander Damián-...; Kenneth J Sytsma
• Keywords: Ficus; Moraceae; Mutualism

Abstract Background and Aims If we replayed the tape of life, would large lineages evolve into same dazzling diversity observed today? While macroevolutionary drivers underlying plant diversification have been investigated for some genera, many clades remain understudied. Ficus L., with 876 species, one largest most ecologically important genera in Moraceae, is renowned its iconic inflorescence, intricate pollination mutualism, broad ecological adaptability. As sole member monotypic tribe Ficeae, occupies a unique evolutionary position within family that also includes major crop plants such as common fig, breadfruit, breadnut, cempedak, jackfruit, che, mulberries. Methods We used well-sampled, dated phylogenomic backbone Moraceae to investigate patterns their associated allied using Maximum-Likelihood Bayesian process-based methods. assembled morphological matrix 508 species trait evolution based on stochastic mapping. Key Results Our results indicate closely shifts global paleoclimate. The emergence key pollen seed dispersers during periods warming following Cretaceous-Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary approximately 66 Mya appears significantly shaped complex Ficus. Evolutionary transitions floral traits are linked changes pollinator guilds; however, HiSSE (Hidden State Speciation Extinction) models suggest these alone may not fully account dyanmics genus. Conclusions This study advances our understanding big pantropical emphasizing need integrate multiple lines evidence holistically reconstruct history morphologically diverse taxa.