The fragmentation of aquatic and riparian environments has damaged diversity into ecosystems. The... more The fragmentation of aquatic and riparian environments has damaged diversity into ecosystems. These injuries are pronounced in areas as tropical dry forests in Colombia, which are endangered zones that could be disappear in few years. In this situation, diversity and composition in Odonata insects, which are influenced by abiotic factors, could be excellent tools for understanding environmental status. Thus, we aim to observe changes in Odonata diversity and composition in different riparian vegetation during a year, along a stream from a remnant of dry forest. At the same time, we hypothesize that there are differences in Odonata diversity and composition. To take this, we sampled Odonata, larvae and adults, and environmental variables in four sampling stations, with different riparian vegetation during a year. We collected a total of 272 specimens corresponding to 16 species. In one hand, we noted variations in Odonata composition, showed in species records and similarity index. I...
Three new species of Piper from the Amazon slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Piper pseudopeculiare... more Three new species of Piper from the Amazon slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Piper pseudopeculiare , P. resinaense , and P. tarquiense are described and illustrated, and morphological comparisons with similar species are discussed.
A new species of Piper L. (Piperaceae) from the eastern slopes of the Andes in Colombia and Peru,... more A new species of Piper L. (Piperaceae) from the eastern slopes of the Andes in Colombia and Peru, P. callejasii W. Trujillo & M. A. Jaram., is described and illustrated, and morphological comparisons with similar species are discussed. Piper callejasii is distinguished by its stigmas being sessile, rather than on a long style as in four similar species. Its conservation status is suggested to be Endangered.
Piper cochleatum is restored as a distinct species from Piper obtusilimbum, provided with an emen... more Piper cochleatum is restored as a distinct species from Piper obtusilimbum, provided with an emended description, and an epitype is designated. The taxon Piper lineatipilosum is also newly synonymized under P. cochleatum. In addition, a new species, Piper caranoense is described from the Andean premontane forests on the Amazonian (eastern) slopes in Colombia. Piper caranoense can be distinguished from Piper cordulatum based on its sarmentose habit and pinnately nerved leaves in the lower third vs. shrubs or small trees with pinnately nerved leaves throughout. An illustration of each species is presented and the morphological differences with similar species are discussed in detail.
Abstract The Neotropics are home to incomparable plant diversity. To evaluate the potential roles... more Abstract The Neotropics are home to incomparable plant diversity. To evaluate the potential roles of geography and ecology on speciation in Neotropical plants we selected a small, tractable lineage of shrubby angiosperms, Piper subgenus Ottonia. We reconstructed a molecular phylogeny and provided insights into the species divergence times based on fossil calibration of the molecular clock. We support the monophyly of Piper subg. Ottonia and the two main lineages: Amazonian and Atlantic Forest, the latter containing the non-Atlantic species pair P. darienense—P. piscatorum. We also propose the origin of Piper subg. Ottonia in the early Eocene and suggest that the diversification of Piper subg. Ottonia was influenced by geo-historical events such as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and the uplift of the Andes in the Miocene, as is the case for other angiosperms. Furthermore, we combined our phylogeny with geographic and environmental data in order to evaluate geographical and ecological contexts for speciation. We indicate that neither climatic/edaphic divergence nor geographic isolation appears to be needed to explain speciation in this lineage.
Understanding the role of diversity in ecosystem processes and species interactions is a central ... more Understanding the role of diversity in ecosystem processes and species interactions is a central goal of ecology. For plant-herbivore interactions, it has been hypothesized that when plant species diversity is reduced, loss of plant biomass to herbivores increases. Although long-standing, this hypothesis has received mixed support. Increasing plant chemical diversity with increasing plant taxonomic diversity is likely to be important for plant-herbivore interactions at the community level, but the role of chemical diversity is unexplored. Here we assess the effect of volatile chemical diversity on patterns of herbivore damage in naturally occurring patches of Piper (Piperaceae) shrubs in a Costa Rican lowland wet forest. Volatile chemical diversity negatively affected total, specialist, and generalist herbivore damage. Furthermore, there were differences between the effects of high-volatility and low-volatility chemical diversity on herbivore damage. High-volatility diversity reduced specialist herbivory, while low-volatility diversity reduced generalist herbivory. Our data suggest that, although increased plant diversity is expected to reduce average herbivore damage, this pattern is likely mediated by the diversity of defensive compounds and general classes of anti-herbivore traits, as well as the degree of specialization of the herbivores attacking those plants.
Typescript. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duke University, 2001. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (le... more Typescript. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duke University, 2001. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-181).
Canellales, a clade consisting of Winteraceae and Canellaceae, represent the smallest order of ma... more Canellales, a clade consisting of Winteraceae and Canellaceae, represent the smallest order of magnoliid angiosperms. The clade shows a broad distribution throughout the Southern Hemisphere, across a diverse range of dry to wet tropical forests. In contrast to their sister-group, Winteraceae, the phylogenetic relations and biogeography within Canellaceae remain poorly studied. Here we present the phylogenetic relationships of all currently recognized genera of Canellales with a special focus on the Old World Canellaceae using a combined dataset consisting of the chloroplast trnK-matK-trnK-psbA and the nuclear single copy gene mag1 (Maigo 1). Within Canellaceae we found high statistical support for the monophyly of Warburgia and Cinnamosma. However, we also found relationships that differ from previous studies. Cinnamodendron splitted into two clades, a South American clade and a second clade confined to the Antilles and adjacent areas. Cinnamodendron from the Antilles, as well as Capsicodendron, South American Cinnamodendron and Pleodendron were not monophyletic. Consequently, Capsicodendron should be included in the South American Cinnamodendron clade and the genus Pleodendron merged with the Cinnamodendron clade from the Antilles. We also found that Warburgia (restricted to mainland eastern Africa) together with the South American Cinnamodendron and Capsicodendron are sister to the Malagasy genus Cinnamosma. In addition to the unexpected geographical relationships, both biogeographic and molecular clock analyses suggest vicariance, extinction, and at least one intercontinental long-distance-dispersal event. Our dating result contrasts previous work on Winteraceae. Diversification of Winteraceae took place in the Paleocene, predating the Canellaceae diversification by 13 MA in the Eocene. The phylogenetic relationships for Canellaceae supported here offer a solid framework for a future taxonomic revision of the Canellaceae.
Abstract: The genus Trianaeopiper Trealese was described to have axillary inflorescences, a rare ... more Abstract: The genus Trianaeopiper Trealese was described to have axillary inflorescences, a rare character within Piperaceae. Here we present phylogenetic evidence suggesting that Trianaeopiper is not monophyletic and should not be recognized as a distinct genus (new ...
Piper: A model genus for studies of …, Jan 1, 2004
Piper is one of the most diverse genera among the basal lineages of angiosperms, and one of the m... more Piper is one of the most diverse genera among the basal lineages of angiosperms, and one of the most diverse genera in tropical wet forests around the world. Piper species are shrubs, climbers, and herbs abundant in the understory of tropical wet forests. Ecologically, Piper ...
The fragmentation of aquatic and riparian environments has damaged diversity into ecosystems. The... more The fragmentation of aquatic and riparian environments has damaged diversity into ecosystems. These injuries are pronounced in areas as tropical dry forests in Colombia, which are endangered zones that could be disappear in few years. In this situation, diversity and composition in Odonata insects, which are influenced by abiotic factors, could be excellent tools for understanding environmental status. Thus, we aim to observe changes in Odonata diversity and composition in different riparian vegetation during a year, along a stream from a remnant of dry forest. At the same time, we hypothesize that there are differences in Odonata diversity and composition. To take this, we sampled Odonata, larvae and adults, and environmental variables in four sampling stations, with different riparian vegetation during a year. We collected a total of 272 specimens corresponding to 16 species. In one hand, we noted variations in Odonata composition, showed in species records and similarity index. I...
Three new species of Piper from the Amazon slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Piper pseudopeculiare... more Three new species of Piper from the Amazon slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Piper pseudopeculiare , P. resinaense , and P. tarquiense are described and illustrated, and morphological comparisons with similar species are discussed.
A new species of Piper L. (Piperaceae) from the eastern slopes of the Andes in Colombia and Peru,... more A new species of Piper L. (Piperaceae) from the eastern slopes of the Andes in Colombia and Peru, P. callejasii W. Trujillo & M. A. Jaram., is described and illustrated, and morphological comparisons with similar species are discussed. Piper callejasii is distinguished by its stigmas being sessile, rather than on a long style as in four similar species. Its conservation status is suggested to be Endangered.
Piper cochleatum is restored as a distinct species from Piper obtusilimbum, provided with an emen... more Piper cochleatum is restored as a distinct species from Piper obtusilimbum, provided with an emended description, and an epitype is designated. The taxon Piper lineatipilosum is also newly synonymized under P. cochleatum. In addition, a new species, Piper caranoense is described from the Andean premontane forests on the Amazonian (eastern) slopes in Colombia. Piper caranoense can be distinguished from Piper cordulatum based on its sarmentose habit and pinnately nerved leaves in the lower third vs. shrubs or small trees with pinnately nerved leaves throughout. An illustration of each species is presented and the morphological differences with similar species are discussed in detail.
Abstract The Neotropics are home to incomparable plant diversity. To evaluate the potential roles... more Abstract The Neotropics are home to incomparable plant diversity. To evaluate the potential roles of geography and ecology on speciation in Neotropical plants we selected a small, tractable lineage of shrubby angiosperms, Piper subgenus Ottonia. We reconstructed a molecular phylogeny and provided insights into the species divergence times based on fossil calibration of the molecular clock. We support the monophyly of Piper subg. Ottonia and the two main lineages: Amazonian and Atlantic Forest, the latter containing the non-Atlantic species pair P. darienense—P. piscatorum. We also propose the origin of Piper subg. Ottonia in the early Eocene and suggest that the diversification of Piper subg. Ottonia was influenced by geo-historical events such as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and the uplift of the Andes in the Miocene, as is the case for other angiosperms. Furthermore, we combined our phylogeny with geographic and environmental data in order to evaluate geographical and ecological contexts for speciation. We indicate that neither climatic/edaphic divergence nor geographic isolation appears to be needed to explain speciation in this lineage.
Understanding the role of diversity in ecosystem processes and species interactions is a central ... more Understanding the role of diversity in ecosystem processes and species interactions is a central goal of ecology. For plant-herbivore interactions, it has been hypothesized that when plant species diversity is reduced, loss of plant biomass to herbivores increases. Although long-standing, this hypothesis has received mixed support. Increasing plant chemical diversity with increasing plant taxonomic diversity is likely to be important for plant-herbivore interactions at the community level, but the role of chemical diversity is unexplored. Here we assess the effect of volatile chemical diversity on patterns of herbivore damage in naturally occurring patches of Piper (Piperaceae) shrubs in a Costa Rican lowland wet forest. Volatile chemical diversity negatively affected total, specialist, and generalist herbivore damage. Furthermore, there were differences between the effects of high-volatility and low-volatility chemical diversity on herbivore damage. High-volatility diversity reduced specialist herbivory, while low-volatility diversity reduced generalist herbivory. Our data suggest that, although increased plant diversity is expected to reduce average herbivore damage, this pattern is likely mediated by the diversity of defensive compounds and general classes of anti-herbivore traits, as well as the degree of specialization of the herbivores attacking those plants.
Typescript. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duke University, 2001. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (le... more Typescript. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duke University, 2001. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 164-181).
Canellales, a clade consisting of Winteraceae and Canellaceae, represent the smallest order of ma... more Canellales, a clade consisting of Winteraceae and Canellaceae, represent the smallest order of magnoliid angiosperms. The clade shows a broad distribution throughout the Southern Hemisphere, across a diverse range of dry to wet tropical forests. In contrast to their sister-group, Winteraceae, the phylogenetic relations and biogeography within Canellaceae remain poorly studied. Here we present the phylogenetic relationships of all currently recognized genera of Canellales with a special focus on the Old World Canellaceae using a combined dataset consisting of the chloroplast trnK-matK-trnK-psbA and the nuclear single copy gene mag1 (Maigo 1). Within Canellaceae we found high statistical support for the monophyly of Warburgia and Cinnamosma. However, we also found relationships that differ from previous studies. Cinnamodendron splitted into two clades, a South American clade and a second clade confined to the Antilles and adjacent areas. Cinnamodendron from the Antilles, as well as Capsicodendron, South American Cinnamodendron and Pleodendron were not monophyletic. Consequently, Capsicodendron should be included in the South American Cinnamodendron clade and the genus Pleodendron merged with the Cinnamodendron clade from the Antilles. We also found that Warburgia (restricted to mainland eastern Africa) together with the South American Cinnamodendron and Capsicodendron are sister to the Malagasy genus Cinnamosma. In addition to the unexpected geographical relationships, both biogeographic and molecular clock analyses suggest vicariance, extinction, and at least one intercontinental long-distance-dispersal event. Our dating result contrasts previous work on Winteraceae. Diversification of Winteraceae took place in the Paleocene, predating the Canellaceae diversification by 13 MA in the Eocene. The phylogenetic relationships for Canellaceae supported here offer a solid framework for a future taxonomic revision of the Canellaceae.
Abstract: The genus Trianaeopiper Trealese was described to have axillary inflorescences, a rare ... more Abstract: The genus Trianaeopiper Trealese was described to have axillary inflorescences, a rare character within Piperaceae. Here we present phylogenetic evidence suggesting that Trianaeopiper is not monophyletic and should not be recognized as a distinct genus (new ...
Piper: A model genus for studies of …, Jan 1, 2004
Piper is one of the most diverse genera among the basal lineages of angiosperms, and one of the m... more Piper is one of the most diverse genera among the basal lineages of angiosperms, and one of the most diverse genera in tropical wet forests around the world. Piper species are shrubs, climbers, and herbs abundant in the understory of tropical wet forests. Ecologically, Piper ...
Uploads