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SUMMARY:Seed size and its rate of evolution correlate with species diversi
 fication across angiosperms - Javier Igea\, Tanentzap Group
DTSTART:20161117T130000Z
DTEND:20161117T133000Z
UID:TALK67642@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:42122
DESCRIPTION:Species diversity varies greatly across the different taxonomi
 c groups that comprise the Tree of Life (ToL). This imbalance is particula
 rly conspicuous within angiosperms\, but is largely unexplained. Seed mass
  is one trait that may help explain why some lineages diversify more than 
 others because it integrates across many key life history traits that infl
 uence speciation and extinction\, such as dispersal\, survival\, environme
 ntal tolerance and reproductive success. However\, the extent and directio
 n of the association between seed mass and diversification has not been as
 sessed across the angiosperm phylogeny. Here\, we show for the first time 
 that absolute seed size and the rate of change in seed size are both assoc
 iated with variation in diversification rates. Based on an unequalled phyl
 ogenetic tree that included 4105 angiosperm genera\, we found that smaller
 -seeded plants had higher rates of diversification\, possibly due to impro
 ved colonisation potential. The rate of phenotypic change in seed size was
  also strongly positively correlated with speciation rates\, supporting em
 erging evidence that rapid morphological change is associated with species
  divergence. Our study now reveals that variation in morphological traits\
 , as well as the rate at which traits evolve\, can contribute to explainin
 g the extremely uneven distribution of diversity across the ToL.
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
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