Open AccessPhylogenomic and ecological analyses reveal the spatiotemporal evolution of global pines
Author(s) -
Wei-Tao Jin,
David S. Gernandt,
Christian Wehenkel,
Xiao-Mei Xia,
Xiao-Xin Wei,
Xiaoquan Wang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2022302118
Subject(s) - ecology , biology , macroevolution , latitude , biome , niche , biogeography , temperate climate , ecological niche , phylogenetic tree , macroecology , habitat , evolutionary biology , geography , ecosystem , biochemistry , gene , geodesy
Significance Understanding what determines the distribution of biodiversity remains one of the great challenges in evolutionary biology and ecology. The Northern Hemisphere conifers do not follow a latitudinal diversity gradient and show a unique distribution pattern, that is most species are distributed at middle latitudes. To reveal the mechanisms underlying this pattern, we investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of the largest conifer genusPinus . We find that the midlatitude region has been an evolutionary museum forPinus , and particularly, topography has played the most important role in pine diversification. Moreover, our results indicate that pine’s preference of warm and somewhat drier habitats could be helpful for their adaptation to the Anthropocene climate warming, which is important for biodiversity conservation and forest management.