Macro and Microevolutionary Processes in Macaronesian Plant Lineages

Speakers

Mónica Moura | CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Azores, InBIO Associate Laboratory, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal

Maria Romeiras | LEAF, Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal | Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

Guilherme Roxo

Konstantina Koutroumpa

Abstract

Islands are perfect spots to comprehend how the evolutionary processes takes place. In this symposium we aim to address the mechanisms that drive speciation in insular settings using case studies from the Macaronesian Region. The Macaronesian Islands (i.e. Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, Canaries and Cabo Verde), harbour biotas with exceptionally high levels of endemism, such as vascular plants, which includes some of the most important radiations in this region. Over the last decades, numerous studies have contributed to determine the phylogenetic relationships and times of origin and diversification of different endemic lineages. In this symposium we will review relevant published phylogenetic data and diversification rates retrieved within Cabo Verde plant and reptile lineages and discuss the importance of choosing appropriate phylogeny-based methods to investigate diversification dynamics on islands. We will also discuss macro and microevolutionary patterns detected within Azorean plant lineages and associated drivers of speciation. Finally, the symposium will address two of the largest radiations within Macaronesian plant lineages: (i) the Apiaceae, integrating biogeographical data and cytogenomic variation to elucidate the group?’s evolutionary patterns, and (ii) the taxonomically difficult genus Limonium, through an expanded molecular phylogeny with a wide sampling of Macaronesian taxa.

Short Presentations

Evolutionary processes across insular endemic plants and reptiles: advances and shortcomings of phylogenetic and phylogenomic studies
Maria Romeiras

Macro and microevolutionary patterns within Azorean plant lineages and associated drivers of speciation
Mónica Moura

Integrating biogeographical data and cytogenomic variation to elucidate the Apiaceae evolution within the Macaronesian Islands
Guilherme Roxo

Exploring the diversification of Limonium (sea lavenders) in space and time
Konstantina Koutroumpa