E&E Seminar: “Evolutionary origins and ecological dynamics of a temperate biodiversity hotspot” by Richard Ree (Field Museum)
February 15, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Join us on Feb. 15, 2022 for "Evolutionary origins and ecological dynamics of a temperate biodiversity hotspot" by Richard Ree (Field Museum).
Host: Alexa Tyszka and Joe Walker
Abstract: The Hengduan Mountains of southwest China, in harboring one of the world's richest temperate floras, raises many questions about how and why biodiversity hotspots form. Recent work in my lab has targeted some of these across a range of temporal and spatial scales. How is the hotspot defined and structured by geography and species turnover? When and how did the flora evolve? What mediates the coexistence of closely related species arising from in situ diversification? The results paint a picture of an ancient cradle of diversity that since the Miocene has accelerated rates of species origination, whose richness is likely related to porous connections to adjacent biogeographic regions. In situ diversification of clades has been accompanied by extensive niche divergence and ecological sorting of close relatives into local communities.
Date posted
Nov 11, 2021
Date updated
Feb 8, 2022