Biology subjects

Klitgaard, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Klitgaard, B..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Setting priorities for the acquisition of primary plant occurrence data

AimEffective implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and Global Strategy for Plant Conservation depends on accurate species distribution data. Current vascular plant distribution data, while crucial for understanding terrestrial ecosystems, is often sparse and biased and requires significant expansion. This study developed a scalable approach to prioritize areas for plant occurrence data acquisition, adaptable to national priorities and providing a framework for botanical institutions to coordinate efforts and allocate resources. LocationGlobal. MethodsUsing a Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) analysis, we prioritized areas based on: (a) ecosystem service value; (b) floristic value threatened by climate or land-use change; and (c) uncertainty in species richness estimates, stratified by biome and region. Regional prioritization maps for Africa & Madagascar; East, South and Southeast Asia; Siberia and the Russian Far East; South America; and North & Central America were reviewed by botanical experts for validation. Scalability was assessed by comparing regional and global analyses. ResultsData-driven priority maps, divided into tree-dominated and grassland/deforested areas, largely received expert support. High similarity between global and regional maps demonstrated scalability. Main conclusionsOur approach provides a framework for supporting national implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Variables and their weights can be tailored to national or local needs. The methods flexibility and adaptability extend to other taxonomic groups and objectives, such as protected area selection By prioritizing data acquisition, whether field-based or digital, this research promotes the efficient use of resources. A key advantage of this approach is its capacity to systematically translate expert opinion into explicit and quantitative criteria, which in turn facilitates clear communication with policymakers and funders.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2021

The diversification of Pterocarpus (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) was influenced by biome-switching and infrequent long-distance dispersal

AimPhenotypes which evolved for dispersal over ecological timescales may lead to significant macroevolutionary consequences, such as infrequent long-distance dispersal and diversification in novel biomes. We aimed to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of Pterocarpus (Leguminosae/ Fabaceae) to assess whether seed dispersal phenotypes and biome switching explain the current biogeographical patterns of this group. LocationPantropical TaxonThe Pterocarpus clade, particularly Pterocarpus (Leguminosae/Fabaceae) MethodsWe sequenced ~300 nuclear loci captured using Angiosperms-353, a genomic bait set for flowering plants, from which we generated a time-calibrated phylogenomic tree. To corroborate this, we also generated a time-calibrated phylogenetic tree from data-mined Sanger-sequencing data. We then collated distribution data and fruit dispersal morphology traits to compare trait-dependent and trait-independent biogeographical models, allowing us to assess whether dispersal traits influenced the spatio-temporal evolution of Pterocarpus. Finally, using the results of these model tests, we estimated the ancestral ranges and biomes of Pterocarpus species to better understand their biogeographical history, and assessed the degree and direction of biome switching over the course of Pterocarpus diversification history. ResultsWe recovered well-supported phylogenetic relationships within Pterocarpus, within which there were two subclades - one Neotropical and the other Palaeotropical. Our divergence date estimates suggested that Pterocarpus largely diversified from around 12 Ma, during the Miocene. Trait-dependent biogeographical models were rejected for both range and biome evolution within Pterocarpus, but models parameterising dispersal were supported. Pterocarpus ancestral node shared a range across the new-world and old-world tropics, followed by divergence into two clades, one palaeotropical and one neotropical. Biome switching occurred most frequently into rainforest and grassland. Main conclusionsOverall, our analyses suggest that Pterocarpus underwent infrequent cross-continental dispersal and establishment into novel biomes. While this was minimally impacted by fruit dispersal syndromes, biome switching precipitated by long-distance dispersal and environmental change have played an important role in diversification within Pterocarpus since the Miocene.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2017

The improbable journeys of epiphytic plants across the Andes: Historical biogeography of Cycnoches (Catasetinae, Orchidaceae)

The Andean uplift is one of the major orographic events in the New World and has impacted considerably the diversification of numerous Neotropical organisms. Despite its importance for biogeography, the specific role of mountain ranges as a dispersal barrier between South and Central American lowland plant lineages is still poorly understood. The swan orchids (Cycnoches) comprise ca 34 epiphytic species distributed in lowland and pre-montane forests of Central and South America. Here, we study the historical biogeography of Cycnoches to better understand the impact of the Andean uplift on the diversification of Neotropical lowland plant lineages. Using novel molecular sequences (five nuclear and plastid regions) and twelve biogeographic models with and without founder-event speciation, we infer that the most recent common ancestor of Cycnoches may have originated in Amazonia ca 5 Mya. The first colonization of Central America occurred from a direct migration event from Amazonia, and multiple bidirectional trans-Andean migrations between Amazonia and Central America took place subsequently. Notably, such biological exchange occurred well after major mountain building periods. The Andes have not acted as an impassable barrier for epiphytic lowland lineages such as orchids having a great potential for effortless dispersal because of the very light, anemochorous seeds.

evolutionary biology↗