Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Eiserhardt W. L., Couvreur Thomas, Baker W. J. (2017). Plant phylogeny as a window on the evolution of hyperdiversity in the tropical rainforest biome. New Phytologist, 214 (4), p. 1408-1422. ISSN 0028-646X.

Titre du document
Plant phylogeny as a window on the evolution of hyperdiversity in the tropical rainforest biome
Année de publication
2017
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000402412500004
Auteurs
Eiserhardt W. L., Couvreur Thomas, Baker W. J.
Source
New Phytologist, 2017, 214 (4), p. 1408-1422 ISSN 0028-646X
Tropical rainforest (TRF) is the most species-rich terrestrial biome on Earth, harbouring just under half of the world's plant species in c. 7% of the land surface. Phylogenetic trees provide important insights into mechanisms underpinning TRF hyperdiversity that are complementary to those obtained from the fossil record. Phylogenetic studies of TRF plant diversity have mainly focused on whether this biome is an evolutionary 'cradle' or 'museum', emphasizing speciation and extinction rates. However, other explanations, such as biome age, immigration and ecological limits, must also be considered. We present a conceptual framework for addressing the drivers of TRF diversity, and review plant studies that have tested them with phylogenetic data. Although surprisingly few in number, these studies point to old age of TRF, low extinction and high speciation rates as credible drivers of TRF hyperdiversity. There is less evidence for immigration and ecological limits, but these cannot be dismissed owing to the limited number of studies. Rapid methodological developments in DNA sequencing, macroevolutionary analysis and the integration of phylogenetics with other disciplines may improve our grasp of TRF hyperdiversity in the future. However, such advances are critically dependent on fundamental systematic research, yielding numerous, additional, well-sampled phylogenies of TRF lineages.
Plan de classement
Sciences du monde végétal [076] ; Etudes, transformation, conservation du milieu naturel [082]
Description Géographique
ZONE TROPICALE
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010070197]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010070197
Contact