Landscape change and the evolution of Marathrum in northern South America

Riverweeds (Podostemaceae) are distinct among angiosperms for their habit, living attached to rocks in fast-flowing water ecosystems such as river rapids and waterfalls. The genus Marathrum extends from Central America to northern South America. The latter is a highly dynamic landscape interrupted by the Andes. In this study, target enrichment and ddRADseq data was generated and analyzed to infer phylogenetic relationships of populations of Marathrum across drainage basins interrupted by the northern Andean cordillera. Population genetics, phylogenetic networks and divergence dating analyses were also conducted. This project gives an insight into the classification, reproductive biology of the group, landscape change scenarios in northern South America, and the role of Andean uplift and inter-Andean valleys in shaping the evolution of Marathrum.