Aim Studies assessing large‐scale patterns of microbial diversity have predominantly focused on free‐living microorganisms, often failing to link observed patterns to established theories regarding the maintenance of global diversity patterns. We aimed to determine whether foliar fungi on two closely related grass hosts— Heteropogon contortus and Themeda triandra —display a commonly observed latitudinal gradient in species ric...

C 4 photosynthesis is a complex trait that boosts productivity in warm environments. Paradoxically, it evolved independently in numerous plant lineages, despite requiring specialised leaf anatomy. The anatomical modifications underlying C 4 evolution have previously been evaluated through interspecific comparisons, which capture numerous changes besides those needed for C 4 functionality. Here, we quantify the anatomical chang...

Aim Grasses (Poaceae) are found in all major habitats of Madagascar and have a particular importance in C 4 grasslands, whose origins are controversial. We aimed to estimate the number, age and origins of endemic grass lineages in the Madagascar region, and to compare the diversification of C 3 and C 4 taxa. Location Madagascar and the surrounding Indian Ocean islands, integrated within a global dataset. Methods We estimated 1...

Physiological novelties are often studied at macro‐evolutionary scales such that their micro‐evolutionary origins remain poorly understood. Here, we test the hypothesis that key components of a complex trait can evolve in isolation and later be combined by gene flow. We use C 4 photosynthesis as a study system, a derived physiology that increases plant productivity in warm, dry conditions. The grass Alloteropsis semialata incl...

Adaptation to changing environments often requires novel traits, but how such traits directly affect the ecological niche remains poorly understood. Multiple plant lineages have evolved C 4 photosynthesis, a combination of anatomical and biochemical novelties predicted to increase productivity in warm and arid conditions. Here, we infer the dispersal history across geographical and environmental space in the only known species...

The giant hogweed ( Heracleum mantegazzianum ) has successfully invaded 19 European countries as well as parts of North America. It has become a problematic species due to its ability to displace native flora and to cause public health hazards. Applying population genetics to species invasion can help reconstruct invasion history and may promote more efficient management practice. We thus analysed levels of genetic variation a...

Geographical isolation and polyploidization are central concepts in plant evolution. The hierarchical organization of archipelagos in this study provides a framework for testing the evolutionary consequences for polyploid taxa and populations occurring in isolation. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism and simple sequence repeat markers, we determined the genetic diversity and differentiation patterns at three levels o...

Aim The olive tree is considered one of the best indicators of the Mediterranean climate. The species’ distribution is associated with geographical and bioclimatic factors, as well as being influenced by a long period of cultivation. Despite concerted efforts of different research groups, the origin of the Mediterranean olive tree still remains elusive. In the present study, relationships between taxa and populations covering...