Origin and diversification of endemic seed plants in Central (Nepal) and Eastern (Bhutan) Himalaya

Tiwari, Achyut, Paudel, Basu Dev and Manish, Kumar (2024) Origin and diversification of endemic seed plants in Central (Nepal) and Eastern (Bhutan) Himalaya. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. ISSN 2287-884X (In Press)

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Abstract

Mountains are rich in endemic species diversity due to various factors, including steep elevational and climatic gradients and high habitat heterogeneity. While the causal factors behind high species endemism have been well worked out with respect to habitat characteristics and climate, the evolutionary mechanisms have received little attention. In this study, we attempt to decipher the evolutionary patterns of diversification of endemic plants in Nepal (Central Himalaya) and Bhutan (Eastern Himalaya) using species-presence records, phylogenetic supertrees, and ancestral area reconstruction methods. We found that the Nepal Himalaya was richer than Bhutan Himalaya with respect to endemic plant species. Maximum diversification of endemic plants in Nepal Himalaya occurred 35-20 million years ago (Mya), and in Bhutan Himalaya, it occurred during 55-45 Mya. Ancestral area reconstructions revealed that the maximum number of endemics in both Nepal and Bhutan Himalaya have diversified from taxa that migrated from Southeast Asiatic Malaysian and Southeast Chinese regions. We conclude that the plant species endemism in the Himalaya is closely linked with the phase-wise gradual uplift of mountains, long-term climate variation, species migration and floristic composition of the neighboring landscapes.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: disturbance | ecological restoration | Himalaya | landslide | vegetation
Subjects: Physical, Life and Health Sciences > Environmental Science, Policy and Law
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Social Sciences (General)
JGU School/Centre: Jindal School of Environment & Sustainability
Depositing User: Arjun Dinesh
Date Deposited: 30 Dec 2024 11:56
Last Modified: 30 Dec 2024 11:56
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2024.11.010
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/8929

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