Comparative analysis of rainforest-savanna biome shifts and spatio-temporal diversification patterns in Old- and New World savanna lineages in Ochnaceae (Malpighiales)

• Applicants: Privatdozent Dr. Thomas Berberich; Professor Dr. Georg Zizka
• Subject Area: Evolution and Systematics of Plants and Fungi
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 296128972

Ochnaceae s.l. (Malpighiales) are an important element of tropical rain forests and savannas worldwide and, based on recent studies, qualify as an excellent model group to (1) investigate the evolution of savanna lineages, the relevant drivers and the spatio-temporal patterns of diversification, (2) study biome shifts between rain forest and savanna, (3) comparatively analyse the diversification dynamics of savanna lineages in the Neotropics and Paleotropics within a monophyletic group, and (4) analyse the role of fire-adaptations (e.g. geoxyly; deeply fissured, corky bark) for the evolution and radiation of savanna lineages. Using a phylogenomic approach (targeted sequence capture), still existing weaknesses in the phylogenetic reconstruction will be solved as well as open systematic questions in the family settled. The thus obtained coalescence-based reconstructions of phylogeny are the basis for the above mentioned comparative analysis of broader interest. Extensive preliminary work, methodological expertise, a well established worldwide network of relevant Ochnaceae researchers, good sampling at hand and methods successfully applied to guarantee extensive sampling from herbarium collections are important prerequisites to ensure the feasibility of the project.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants