The evolutionary history of sedges (Cyperaceae) in Madagascar

Aim: Madagascar is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity and endemism. With many ecosystems under threat, research is urgently needed on its unique plant diversity. This applies both to Madagascar’s forests and treeless vegetation types. Sedges (Cyperaceae) are among the top ten species-richest angiosperm families in Madagascar (310 native species, 38% endemic), of which two thirds occur in open habitats. We aimed to infer the evolutionary history of sedges in Madagascar, by estimating the number, age and origins of endemic lineages, and how they diversified on the island. We tested contrasting hypotheses of (i) few colonisations but important in situ radiations against (ii) a high number of anagenetic colonisations.

Location: Madagascar and the surrounding Indian Ocean islands, integrated within a global dataset.

Taxon: Sedge family Cyperaceae.

Methods: We estimated time-calibrated molecular phylogenies encompassing a large proportion of Madagascar’s known sedge flora (in...