Angel Vale
Supervisors: Luis Navarro
Phone: 34663497158
Address: Dpto. de Biología Vegetal y Ciencias del Suelo
Facultad de Ciencias As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36200- Vigo,Spain
Phone: 34663497158
Address: Dpto. de Biología Vegetal y Ciencias del Suelo
Facultad de Ciencias As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36200- Vigo,Spain
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species of Encyclia from the Caribbean. The distribution, ecology, and conservation status of E. sabanensis are briefly discussed. A general
field key for identifying 24 Encyclia species that has been reported for Cuba is offered. The key is coupled with the diagrams of the
labellum of 23 species.
species of Encyclia from the Caribbean. The distribution, ecology, and conservation status of E. sabanensis are briefly discussed. A general
field key for identifying 24 Encyclia species that has been reported for Cuba is offered. The key is coupled with the diagrams of the
labellum of 23 species.
management of rare orchids. Here, we address these aspects and the main threats affecting the endangered Cuban
orchid Broughtonia cubensis. This rewardless orchid is self-compatible, but pollinator dependent. However, seed
production can be negatively affected by insect-mediated selfing. Three species of small bee (genera Ceratina and
Lasioglossum) act as pollinators. As in the case of other nectarless orchids, we detected two species of plant
producing large amounts of nectar in the area, the floral morphology of which closely resembles that of B. cubensis.
The simultaneous flowering of these species could positively affect the reproductive success of B. cubensis.
Nonetheless, the fitness of this orchid in natural conditions is low, possibly related to strong pollen limitation. To
the problems arising from reduced fitness is added the fact that its historical distribution range has been greatly
reduced in recent years. Throughout this study, we have detected dramatic reductions in the population sizes, in
some cases as a result of human plundering, but also as a consequence of hurricanes. Based on the results of this
study, we propose some guidelines to manage and conserve this orchid.
consecutive years was substantially affected by pollinator activity, and also by systematic depredatory activity of ants and a caterpillar. Considering that this orchid completely lacks nectar and that the local assemblage of pollinators and predators influenced its reproduction, a minor importance of resource constraints in this epiphyte (with long-lasting reserve structures) is confirmed at least for a short time.
Location: The New World.
Methods We reconstructed a time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the New World genera of the superfamily Noctilionoidea. We compiled data on diet, morphology, geographical distribution and number of ecoregions in which each genus occurs. Then, using the phylogenetic tree constructed, we tested whether diversification was driven by diet (animalivorous and sanguinivorous versus nectarivorous and frugivorous) and specialization for frugivory. Afterwards, we conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses to identify
correlates of species richness and net diversification rates.
Results: The diversification rate was higher in mutualistic than in antagonistic clades in mainland and Antillean biogeographical scenarios, but only strictly frugivorous clades showed a markedly higher diversification rate than the rest of the genera. Geographical range and number of ecoregions were positively
associated with species richness and diversification rate in continental and insular lineages. Lower body mass, lower forearm length and specialization for frugivory were significantly positively correlated with higher diversification rates in continental lineages, whereas these parameters were negatively correlated in
Antillean lineages.
Main conclusions: The direction of the relationship of intrinsic factors (specialization for frugivory and body size) with diversification of noctilionoid bats depends on the biogeographical context, whereas the direction of the relationship of extrinsic factors (geographical range and number of ecoregions) with diversification is consistent in both mainland and the West Indian lineages.
phyllostomids. On the basis of a matrix of feeding habits that takes into account geographical and seasonal variation, we tested different hypotheses of the evolution of feeding specializations in the group. We find strong support for the evolutionary model of a direct dietary diversification from insectivory. The estimates of divergence times of phyllostomid bats and the reconstruction of ancestral states with a Bayesian approach support the parallel evolution of frugivory in five lineages and of nectarivory in three lineages during the Miocene. On the basis of these findings, and recent dietary studies, we propose that during the evolution of phyllostomids switches to new feeding mechanisms to access to abundant and ⁄ or underexploited resources provided selective advantages that favoured the appearance of ecological innovations independently in
different lineages of the family. We did not find evidences to support or reject the hypothesis that the insectivorous most recent common ancestor of all phyllostomids was also phytophagous.
species of Encyclia from the Caribbean. The distribution, ecology, and conservation status of E. sabanensis are briefly discussed. A general
field key for identifying 24 Encyclia species that has been reported for Cuba is offered. The key is coupled with the diagrams of the
labellum of 23 species.
species of Encyclia from the Caribbean. The distribution, ecology, and conservation status of E. sabanensis are briefly discussed. A general
field key for identifying 24 Encyclia species that has been reported for Cuba is offered. The key is coupled with the diagrams of the
labellum of 23 species.
management of rare orchids. Here, we address these aspects and the main threats affecting the endangered Cuban
orchid Broughtonia cubensis. This rewardless orchid is self-compatible, but pollinator dependent. However, seed
production can be negatively affected by insect-mediated selfing. Three species of small bee (genera Ceratina and
Lasioglossum) act as pollinators. As in the case of other nectarless orchids, we detected two species of plant
producing large amounts of nectar in the area, the floral morphology of which closely resembles that of B. cubensis.
The simultaneous flowering of these species could positively affect the reproductive success of B. cubensis.
Nonetheless, the fitness of this orchid in natural conditions is low, possibly related to strong pollen limitation. To
the problems arising from reduced fitness is added the fact that its historical distribution range has been greatly
reduced in recent years. Throughout this study, we have detected dramatic reductions in the population sizes, in
some cases as a result of human plundering, but also as a consequence of hurricanes. Based on the results of this
study, we propose some guidelines to manage and conserve this orchid.
consecutive years was substantially affected by pollinator activity, and also by systematic depredatory activity of ants and a caterpillar. Considering that this orchid completely lacks nectar and that the local assemblage of pollinators and predators influenced its reproduction, a minor importance of resource constraints in this epiphyte (with long-lasting reserve structures) is confirmed at least for a short time.
Location: The New World.
Methods We reconstructed a time-calibrated molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the New World genera of the superfamily Noctilionoidea. We compiled data on diet, morphology, geographical distribution and number of ecoregions in which each genus occurs. Then, using the phylogenetic tree constructed, we tested whether diversification was driven by diet (animalivorous and sanguinivorous versus nectarivorous and frugivorous) and specialization for frugivory. Afterwards, we conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses to identify
correlates of species richness and net diversification rates.
Results: The diversification rate was higher in mutualistic than in antagonistic clades in mainland and Antillean biogeographical scenarios, but only strictly frugivorous clades showed a markedly higher diversification rate than the rest of the genera. Geographical range and number of ecoregions were positively
associated with species richness and diversification rate in continental and insular lineages. Lower body mass, lower forearm length and specialization for frugivory were significantly positively correlated with higher diversification rates in continental lineages, whereas these parameters were negatively correlated in
Antillean lineages.
Main conclusions: The direction of the relationship of intrinsic factors (specialization for frugivory and body size) with diversification of noctilionoid bats depends on the biogeographical context, whereas the direction of the relationship of extrinsic factors (geographical range and number of ecoregions) with diversification is consistent in both mainland and the West Indian lineages.
phyllostomids. On the basis of a matrix of feeding habits that takes into account geographical and seasonal variation, we tested different hypotheses of the evolution of feeding specializations in the group. We find strong support for the evolutionary model of a direct dietary diversification from insectivory. The estimates of divergence times of phyllostomid bats and the reconstruction of ancestral states with a Bayesian approach support the parallel evolution of frugivory in five lineages and of nectarivory in three lineages during the Miocene. On the basis of these findings, and recent dietary studies, we propose that during the evolution of phyllostomids switches to new feeding mechanisms to access to abundant and ⁄ or underexploited resources provided selective advantages that favoured the appearance of ecological innovations independently in
different lineages of the family. We did not find evidences to support or reject the hypothesis that the insectivorous most recent common ancestor of all phyllostomids was also phytophagous.