bioRxiv Science⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Barrett, R. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Barrett, R. L..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Global analysis of Poales diversification - parallel evolution in space and time into open and closed habitats

O_LIPoales are one of the most species-rich, ecologically and economically important orders of plants and often characterise open habitats, enabled by unique suites of traits. We test the hypotheses that Poales species are assembled into distinct phyloregions, with centres of high phylogenetic diversity and endemism clustered in tropical regions, and that cosmopolitan families show parallel transitions into open and closed habitats at different times. C_LIO_LIWe sampled 42% of Poales species and obtained taxonomic and biogeographic data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants database, which was combined with open/closed habitat data scored by taxonomic experts. A dated supertree of Poales was constructed. We integrated spatial phylogenetics with regionalization analyses, historical biogeography, ancestral state estimations, and models of contingent evolution. C_LIO_LIDiversification in Poales and assembly of open and closed habitats result from dynamic evolutionary processes that vary across lineages, time, space, and traits, most prominently in tropical and southern latitudes. Our results reveal parallel and recurrent patterns of habitat and trait transitions in the species-rich families Poaceae and Cyperaceae, yet other smaller families display unique evolutionary trajectories. C_LIO_LIThe Poales have achieved global dominance via parallel evolution in open habitats, with notable, spatially and phylogenetically restricted divergences into strictly closed habitats. C_LI

ecology↗

The AusTraits Plant Dictionary

Traits with intuitive names, a clear scope and explicit description are essential for all trait databases. Reanalysis of data from a single database, or analyses that integrate data across multiple databases, can only occur if researchers are confident the trait concepts are consistent within and across sources. The lack of a unified, comprehensive resource for plant trait definitions has previously limited the utility of trait databases. Here we describe the AusTraits Plant Dictionary (APD), which extends the trait definitions included in the new trait database AusTraits. The development process of the APD included three steps: review and formalisation of the scope of each trait and the accompanying trait description; addition of trait meta-data; and publication in both human and machine-readable forms. Trait definitions include keywords, references and links to related trait concepts in other databases, and the traits are grouped into a hierarchy for easy searching. As well as improving the usability of AusTraits, the Dictionary will foster the integration of trait data across global and regional plant trait databases.

ecology↗