Leal et al. 2015 (Conference Paper) Pitcairnia

Phylogeography, population genomics and adaptive variation in the Pitcairnia lanuginosa (Bromeliaceae) species complex

Author(s):—B.S.S. Leal, C.J.N. Chaves & C. Palma-Silva in Benko-Iseppon, A.M.; Alves, M. & Louzada, R. (2015) An overview and abstracts of the First World Congress on Bromeliaceae Evolution. Rodriguésia 66(2): A1-A66.

Publication:— (2015).

Abstract:—The understanding of the processes leading to the diversification of lineages and the appearance of new species isparticularly important in the world?s biodiversity hotspots. Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) approaches, suchas restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq), have shown promise for studying such processes, even when it involves non-model organisms. In this work, we will use the Pitcairnia lanuginosa complex (Bromeliaceae),which is widely distributed in tropical regions of South America, as a model to study the processes underlyingthe diversity in the Neotropics. First, we aim to sample populations covering most of species? geographic rangeand, employing nuclear and plastid markers, to provide a first insight into the phylogeographic structure andevolutionary history of the P. lanuginosa complex. We will also employ a large amount of SNPs markers isolated by RAD-Seq, as well as ecological niche modeling (ENM), to determine the role of historical demographicprocesses on the neutral and adaptive genetic variation and to test the boundaries between species of the group.In an attempt to aggregate essential biological knowledge to interpret the patterns of diversification, we will alsocollect data about morphological variation and reproductive biology, which are still unknown for the species ofthe complex. Our results about the divergence amongthe lineages of the P. lanuginosa complex occupying theCentral Andean Yungas and the Brazilian Cerrado will provide insights about the patterns and processes thatgovern the high biodiversity of the South American continent. This study will also assist the understanding ofdemographic responses of herbaceous plants adapted to drought stress during the Quaternary climatic oscillations.

Keywords:—Phylogeography; Next Generation Sequencing; Diversification; Species Delimitation.