Postdoctoral Fellow
Global biodiversity is neither uniformly nor randomly distributed. Rather, species are assembled into coherent communities and, at the broadest scale, biomes. Uncovering the evolutionary history of these assemblages is essential if we are to fully appreciate the diversification of life on Earth. On land, where communities are most often characterized by their dominant vegetation, information concerning the origins and past distributions of biomes has traditionally come exclusively from the plant fossil record. But while this source of data has provided important and critical insight, considerable uncertainty remains. A phylogenetic approach, centered on the reconstruction of biome-specific features across evolutionary timetrees, may well be able to deliver improved resolution. I am currently working to more fully develop such an approach in order to better understand the establishment of modern tropical rain forests, an incredibly diverse and fundamentally important terrestrial biome.
A phylogenetic approach to understanding the evolution of the earth's biomes
| PI(s): | Eric Schuettpelz |
| Start Date: | 1-Aug-2009 |
| End Date: | 31-Jul-2010 |
| Keywords: | biogeography, biodiversity, phylogenetics |
Global biodiversity is neither uniformly nor randomly distributed. Rather, species are assembled into coherent communities and, at the broadest scale, biomes. Uncovering the evolutionary history of these assemblages is essential if we are to fully appreciate the diversification of life on Earth. On land, where communities are most often characterized by their dominant vegetation, information concerning the origins and past distributions of biomes has traditionally come exclusively from the plant fossil record. But while this source of data has provided important and critical insight, considerable uncertainty remains. A phylogenetic approach, centered on the reconstruction of biome-specific features across evolutionary timetrees, may well be able to deliver improved resolution. I am currently working to more fully develop such an approach in order to better understand the establishment of modern tropical rain forests, an incredibly diverse and fundamentally important terrestrial biome.Related products
Publications- Abrupt deceleration of molecular evolution linked to the origin of arborescence in ferns Korall, P., E. Schuettpelz, et al. (2010). Abrupt deceleration of molecular evolution linked to the origin of arborescence in ferns. Evolution 64(9): 2786�2792.
- DNA barcoding exposes a case of mistaken identity in the fern horticultural trade Pryer, K., E. Schuettpelz, et al. (2010). DNA barcoding exposes a case of mistaken identity in the fern horticultural trade. Molecular Ecology Resources 10(6): 979-985.
- Divergence Times And The Evolution Of Epiphytism In Filmy Ferns (Hymenophyllaceae) Revisited Hennequin, S., E. Schuettpelz, K.M. Pryer, et al. (2008). Divergence Times And The Evolution Of Epiphytism In Filmy Ferns (Hymenophyllaceae) Revisited. International Journal Of Plant Sciences 169(9): 1278-1287.
- Unknown. 2009. Ancient ferns bum a ride off giant trees. Futurity.
- Bates, K. 2009. Ferns took to the trees and thrived. Duke University Office of News and Communications.
- 2009. ScienceShots: Fern frenzy. Science Magazine.
- Smith, R. (2010). DNA barcodes expose fake ferns. Duke News Office.
- Smith, R. (2010). DNA barcode exposes 'fake' ferns for sale. Futurity.
- (2010). "Protecting plants through DNA testing." The Charlotte Observer.
- (2010). DNA barcodes could protect plants. The Raleigh News and Observer.
