A phylogenomic analysis of the genus Castanopsis. Phylogeny Castanopsis

Asia is one of the world's most diversified regions, in terms of environmental variation as well as in biodiversity values, mainly due to climatic oscillations during the quaternary, as well as to the geological changes that occurred from 30mya to present. However, a great part of this biodiversity remains unknown, and a phylogenetic framework is still lacking for many taxa in the region. Here, I propose a comprehensive study aimed at unravelling origin, evolutionary diversification, historical biogeography and causes for genomic diversity of a tropical tree genus, Castnaopsis (D. Don) Spach, which holds several major lineages endemic to seven Asian interconnected biodiversity hotspots. I couple the latest next-generation genomic sequencing techniques and recent advances in data assembly, molecular dating and biogeographical reconstruction analyses to study evolution and environmental adaptations in a widespread and speciose tropical genus. I will established a representative species dataset for Castanopsis, and use the latest high-throughput sequencing to obtain complete chloroplasts. With the complete chloroplast, DNA-barcoding data will be generated as a by-product. These data will be analysed in order to identify portion of the cpDNA that could be use as a simple and reliable identification tool. Phylogenetic analyses, molecular dating and biogeographical reconstruction will then a phylogeographic hypothesis for historical diversification and adaptation of the genus. This phylogeographic framework will be use to asses the tempo, timing and mode of diversification among the species, as well as to delineate the responses of the different lineages in the genus to changes in palaeogeographic configurations, climate and and eustatic conditions in Asia. I will conduct the first major phylogenetic study combining large sampling and new genomic approaches with historical biogeographic analyses and modelling of speciation rates. No major studies on genome diversification of Castanopsis have been performed to date, thus our study will serve as a cornerstone in our understanding of the origin and geographic distribution of genetic diversity in tropical trees, thereby aiding in conservation efforts.