| Abstract Detail
Integration of Spatial and Ecological Data in Evolutionary Studies Von Hagen, Bernhard [1], Wahrmund, Ute [2], Welk, Erik [3], Roeser, Martin [3]. Geographical versus ecological separation in the Mediterranean genus Carlina (Asteraceae): An evaluation of speciation modes based on GIS data and a species level phylogeny. The genus Carlina L. (Asteraceae) consists of 28 species and is mainly of mediterranean distribution with some species expanding into Central and Northern Europe and Western Asia. Our aim was to test whether macroecological separation or other causes played a major role during its diversification because it is often hypothesized that mediterranean regions are species-rich due to a high diversity of ecological niches. Based on four molecular markers (trnL-trnF, psbA-trnH, and ycf6-psbM spacer from the chloroplast and nuclear ETS) we inferred a well resolved and supported phylogeny. To define the macroecological niche of each species, we used GIS data (Geographical Information Systems) of temperature and precipitation at different resolution levels (25x25km down to 5x5km). We correlated the data with the actual distribution range of each species to obtain regions with similar macroclimatic conditions which was treated as the potential distribution. Comparison of actual and potential distribution ranges of sister species using GARP then revealed whether their ecological niches differ significantly or not. When we applied this methodology onto all nodes of the phylogeny, we found differences in macroecology between several sister lineages. The results differed somewhat using different resolution levels of the GIS data. However, as a rule the influence of geographic separation seemed more important, so it turned out that ecological niche differentiation during the evolution of the genus Carlina was only of minor importance in the Mediterranean.
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1 - Uni Halle-Wittenberg, Institut Fuer Geobotanik, M. Luther-Uni Halle-Wittenberg, Neuwerk 21, Halle, D-06099, Germany
2 - University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
3 - Uni Halle, Halle, Germany
Keywords:
Carlina
GIS
mediterranean
Speciation
ecological niche.
Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: C02
Location: Stevens 2/Hilton
Date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: C02002
Abstract ID:1115 |
