Genome size variation within : Clues on the colonization of insular environments.

Angiosperms present an astonishing diversity of genome sizes that can vary intra- or interspecifically. The remarkable new cytogenomic data shed some light on our understanding of evolution, but few studies were performed with insular and mainland populations to test possible correlations with dispersal, speciation, and adaptations to insular environments. Here, patterns of cytogenomic diversity were assessed among geographic samples (ca.

Multiplexed shotgun genotyping (MSG) data resolve phylogenetic relationships within and among archipelagos in Macaronesian Tolpis.

Premise: Plants endemic to oceanic archipelagos are suitable for studying evolution, being isolated on substrates of different ages. Evolution has been recent, rendering traditionally employed sequences insufficiently variable for resolving relationships. This study includes sampling in the genus Tolpis (Asteraceae) from the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde, and expands upon an earlier study demonstrating the efficacy of multiplexed shotgun genotyping (MSG) for resolving relationships in Canarian Tolpis.

Diversity and Cytogenomic Characterization of Wild Carrots in the Macaronesian Islands.

The Macaronesian islands constitute an enormous reservoir of genetic variation of wild carrots (subtribe Daucinae; Apiaceae), including 10 endemic species, but an accurate understanding of the diversification processes within these islands is still lacking. We conducted a review of the morphology, ecology, and conservation status of the Daucinae species and, on the basis of a comprehensive dataset, we estimated the genome size variation for 16 taxa (around 320 samples) occurring in different habitats across the Macaronesian islands in comparison to mainland specimens. Results showed that taxa with larger genomes (e.

Genome-wide genotyping estimates mating system parameters and paternity in the island species Tolpis succulenta.

Premise: The mating system has profound consequences, not only for ecology and evolution, but also for the conservation of threatened or endangered species. Unfortunately, small populations are difficult to study owing to limits on sample size and genetic marker diversity. Here, we estimated mating system parameters in three small populations of an island plant using genomic genotyping.

The first Ichneumonid fossil from the Early Pleistocene of Madeira Island (Portugal).

In oceanic islands, well age-constrained deposits containing arthropod somatofossils (body fossils) are rare. However, when available, these are important for providing empirical and independent minimum ages for molecular phylogenetic dating and complementary data on taxonomy, evolution and palaeobiogeography information of the biological groups found as fossils. This is especially important for taxa that speciated within oceanic islands, many becoming single island endemics (SIE).

Phylogenetic relationships and phylogeography of relevant lineages within the complex Campanulaceae family in Macaronesia.

Macaronesia has long been recognized as a natural model for studying evolutionary processes in plant diversification. Several studies have attempted to focus on single lineages, and few have covered the diversification of a family across all the archipelagos. We used a comprehensive sample to clarify the phylogenetic relationships and the biogeographic history of the Macaronesian Campanulaceae.

Are there any widespread endemic flowering plant species in Macaronesia? Phylogeography of Ranunculus cortusifolius.

Premise Of The Study: Oceanic island endemics typically exhibit very restricted distributions. In Macaronesia, only one endemic angiosperm species, Ranunculus cortusifolius, has a distribution spanning the archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira, and Canaries. Earlier work suggested possible differences between archipelagos and the multiple origins of the species.

Biogeography of Mediterranean Hotspot Biodiversity: Re-Evaluating the 'Tertiary Relict' Hypothesis of Macaronesian Laurel Forests.

The Macaronesian laurel forests (MLF) are dominated by trees with a laurophyll habit comparable to evergreen humid forests which were scattered across Europe and the Mediterranean in the Paleogene and Neogene. Therefore, MLF are traditionally regarded as an old, 'Tertiary relict' vegetation type. Here we address the question if key taxa of the MLF are relictual.