Tropical-alpine plant radiations: an intercontinental comparison of timing and the role of allopatry, hybridization and niche differentiation
| Name: | Tropical-alpine plant radiations: an intercontinental comparison of timing and the role of allopatry, hybridization and niche differentiation |
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| Researchers: |
De Gorospe Ballesteros Juan Manuel (member in research team) Caklová Petra (member in research team) Josefiová Jiřina (member in research team) Zeisek Vojtěch (member in research team) Záveská Eliška (member in research team) Schmickl Roswitha (member in research team) |
| Provider: | Czech Science Foundation (GAČR) |
| Realization from: | 2020 |
| Realization to: | 2022 |
| Summary: | Species richness and endemism of the tropical-alpine floras of South America and Africa have attracted botanists since the early 19th century. The alpine flora of the (sub)tropical Andes, mainly the páramo, is extremely diverse and rich in endemic species and has been identified as possibly the fastest evolving world’s biodiversity hotspot. In contrast to the páramo, the flora from tropical-alpine areas of East Africa is relatively species-poor but rather rich in endemics. The main goal of this research is to compare the timing of plant radiations in tropical-alpine habitats, detect key evolutionary processes involved in these radiations, particularly those related to Pleistocene climate oscillations, and assess their relative contribution to the origin of plant diversity in these biodiversity hotspots. |