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The Evolutionary History of the Antarctic Flora

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cam.restrictionthesis_access_embargoed
cam.supervisorConvey, Peter
cam.supervisorJackson, Jennifer
cam.supervisorLinse, Katrin
cam.supervisorGriffiths, Howard
cam.supervisor.orcidConvey, Peter [0000-0001-8497-9903]
cam.supervisor.orcidJackson, Jennifer [0000-0003-4158-1924]
cam.supervisor.orcidLinse, Katrin [0000-0003-3477-3047]
dc.contributor.authorBiersma, Elisabeth Machteld
dc.contributor.orcidBiersma, Elisabeth Machteld [0000-0002-9877-2177]
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-27T17:00:43Z
dc.date.available2017-11-27T17:00:43Z
dc.date.issued2017-06-21
dc.date.updated2017-11-10T15:00:20Z
dc.description.abstractHow long has the extant flora been present in the Antarctic? Glaciological reconstructions propose that most areas in Antarctica were covered by thick ice sheets throughout the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ~22-18 kya) as well as previous glaciations, suggesting terrestrial life must have been extremely limited during these periods. In contrast, recent biogeographic and genetic studies support most extant groups of Antarctic terrestrial fauna having survived past glaciations in situ. However, studies on the origin and age of the Antarctic flora remain sparse. Applying population genetic, phylogeographic and divergence time analyses I assessed the global biogeography, origin and age of several abundant Antarctic moss species, including: four Polytrichaceae mosses, characterised by having bipolar distributions, the most common (~45% of species) distribution pattern amongst Antarctic mosses; the globally widespread moss Ceratodon purpureus; the bank-forming moss Chorisodontium aciphyllum, also known for its old sub-fossils in Antarctica and long-term viability from revival experiments; and, lastly, the genus Schistidium, the most species-rich moss genus in Antarctica, including many endemic species. Genetic analyses revealed evidence of long-term (multi-million year) survival of plants in Antarctica (several species of Schistidium, Ceratodon purpureus, and possibly Polytrichum juniperinum). However, evidence for a likely more recent (<100 ky) arrival of Chorisodontium aciphyllum was also found. Some species revealed multiple separate dispersal events to the Antarctic, suggesting the region may be less isolated for spore-dispersed organisms than previously thought. Evidence for increased genetic diversity in the northern maritime Antarctic compared to other regions point at it including potential refugial areas. Furthermore, genetic patterns revealed geographic features that enable and limit the connectivity of bryophytes globally as well as in Antarctica. This study suggests that, despite the harsh polar climate during glaciation periods, many bryophytes have had a much longer presence in Antarctica than previously thought.
dc.description.sponsorshipThis PhD was funded by a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) PhD studentship (ref NE/K50094X/1) to E.M.B. and NERC core funding to the British Antarctic Survey Biodiversity, Evolution and Adaptation Team
dc.identifier.doi10.17863/CAM.16667
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/269736
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.collegeJesus College
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Plant Sciences
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cambridge
dc.rightsNo Creative Commons licence (All rights reserved)
dc.rightsAll Rights Reserveden
dc.rights.urihttps://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/en
dc.subjectAntarctic
dc.subjectAntarctica
dc.subjectMoss
dc.subjectBryophyte
dc.subjectPopulation genetics
dc.subjectbiogeography
dc.subjectgenetics
dc.subjectevolution
dc.subjectLast Glacial Maximum
dc.subjectBiology
dc.subjectPolar
dc.subjectArctic
dc.subjectcryptogam
dc.subjectspore
dc.subjectdistribution
dc.subjectphylogenetic
dc.subjectphylogenetics
dc.subjectrefugia
dc.subjectflora
dc.subjectclimate
dc.titleThe Evolutionary History of the Antarctic Flora
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationnameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
dc.type.qualificationtitlePhD in Plant Sciences

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