| Abstract Detail
Biogeography Tkach, Natalia [1], Röser, Martin [2], Hoffmann, Matthias H. [1]. Parallel colonisation of the Arctic by plants. The now treeless and cold region of the Arctic was covered throughout much of Tertiary with deciduous and coniferous forest. During the late Tertiary cooling and Pleistocene glacial cycles this northernmost area became available for (re)colonisation and evolution of herbaceous and shrubby plants. The present environmental conditions of the Arctic are rather detrimental for plant growth. Nevertheless, c. 2700 vascular plant species grow presently in the Arctic. These species may be simply pre-adapted immigrants from the adjacent boreal or further southern zones. On the other hand, they may have evolved in situ. To infer colonisation patterns and putative adaptations we studied the species-rich genera Artemisia L. (Asteraceae), Ranunculus L. (Ranunculaceae), and Pedicularis L. (Orobanchaceae) in a phylogenetic framework. Additionally, molecular phylogenetic studies available for other genera occurring in the Arctic were used to infer the origin of the arctic flora. The prevalent pattern observed was a parallel evolution of arctic taxa from non-arctic ancestors. The arctic taxa have evolved at different ages, sometimes even before the formation of the arctic ecosystem. The predecessors of the arctic species may have occupied different geographical places and had different ecological preferences. These were, for example, southern high mountains, steppes, forests, and wetlands. Radiations were rarely observed in the Arctic, only Douglasia (Primulaceae) and Carex (Cyperaceae) provide some examples. Morphological adaptations that may support a life in the Arctic were rarely observed.
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1 - Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Institut für Biologie, Bereich Geobotanik und Botanischer Garten, Am Kirchtor 3, Halle (Saale), 06108, Germany
2 - Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Institut für Biologie, Bereich Geobotanik und Botanischer Garten, Am Kirchtor 3, Halle (Saale), 06108, G
Keywords:
biogeography
Evolution
Arctic.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PBG001
Abstract ID:192
Candidate for Awards:None |
