Evolution of a hotspot genus: geographic variation in speciation and extinction rates in Banksia (Proteaceae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hotspots of angiosperm species richness and endemism in Mediterranean-climate regions are among the most striking, but least well-understood, geographic patterns of biodiversity. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of rapid diversification within hotspots, compared to non-hotspot regions, as a major contributor to these patterns. We constructed the first near-complete phylogeny of Banksia (Proteaceae) to test whether diversification rates have differed between lineages confined to the southwest Australian hotspot and those found throughout southern, eastern and northern Australia. We then tested for variation in diversification rates among the bioclimatic zones within the southwest hotspot itself.

Results

Although Banksia species richness in the southwes

SUBMITTER: Cardillo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3751403 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature