A Tale of Two Hyper-diversities: Diversification dynamics of the two largest families of lichenized fungi.

ABSTRACT: Renewed interests in macroevolutionary dynamics have led to the proliferation of studies on diversification processes in large taxonomic groups, such as angiosperms, mammals, and birds. However, such a study has yet to be conducted in lichenized fungi--an extremely successful and diverse group of fungi. Analysing the most comprehensive time-calibrated phylogenies with a new analytical method, we illustrated drastically different diversification dynamics between two hyper-diverse families of lichenized fungi, Graphidaceae and Parmeliaceae, which represent more than a fourth of the total species diversity of lichenized fungi. Despite adopting a similar nutrition mode and having a similar number of species, Graphidaceae exhibited a lower speciation rate, while Parmeliaceae showed a sharp incr

SUBMITTER: Kraichak E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4421861 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature