| Abstract Detail
Systematics Bedoya, Ana Maria [1], Olmstead, Richard [2], Olmstead, Richard [2]. Evolution of aquatic plants in rivers and wetlands of northern South America: what have we learned from getting our feet wet? Northern South America is a geologically dynamic and species-rich region. Fossil and stratigraphic data show that mountain uplift in the tropical Andes reconfigured river drainages. These landscape changes impacted the evolution of the flora in the region, yet the impacts on aquatic taxa have been overlooked. Here we explore the role of landscape change on the evolution of plant groups living strictly in rivers and in wetlands across the Andes. We generated target enrichment and ddRADseq data for Marathrum (Podostemaceae) and Ludwigia (Onagraceae), and conducted population structure, phylogenomic, phylogenetic networks, and divergence-dating analyses. Our results suggest that the pattern of divergence of populations reflects the formation of river drainages, which was not complete until <4.1 Ma. Dispersal of populations confined to rivers is limited by connections between rivers, whereas dispersal in wetland plants is less constrained and thus, closely related taxa inhabit multiple drainage basins. Our project gives an insight into the classification, reproductive biology of the study groups, landscape change scenarios in northern South America, and the role of Andean uplift in shaping the evolution of aquatic plants. We discuss why getting our feet wet matters.
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1 - University of Washington, Biology, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA
2 - University Of Washington, Biology Department And Burke Museum, Department Of Biology, Seattle, WA, 98155, United States
Keywords:
Neotropics
Andean plants
Aquatic plants
Rivers
wetlands
Podostemaceae
Marathrum
Ludwigia
Target enrichment
ddRADseq
Onagraceae.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: SYSTIII, Systematics III: Algae to Lilioid Monocots
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Tuesday, July 20th, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM(EDT)
Number: SYSTIII005
Abstract ID:490
Candidate for Awards:None |
