Fossil history and modern distribution of the genus Abies (Pinaceae) |
| |
Authors: | Xiaoguo Xiang Ming Cao Zhekun Zhou |
| |
Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, China;(2) Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region and Academia Sinica, Guilin, 541006, China |
| |
Abstract: | The plants of the genus Abies are dominant and key species in the dark coniferous forest in the Northern Hemisphere. There are 52 species, one subspecies
and 12 varieties in the genus Abies in the world. The history and modern distribution of Abies were discussed. The genus has three modern distribution centers: South Europe, North America and East Asia. These areas are
also rich in fossil records. The vertical distribution regions of Abies are from sea level to an elevation of 4,700 m, concentrated in 1,000–2,000 m (15 species). In China, the genus distributes
in 20 provinces, especially abundant in the Hengduan Mountains. Meanwhile, endemic and relic phenomena are obvious in this
genus. There are seven relic species with both limited individuals and limited distributed regions. Based on the fossil records
and the latest phylogenetic data, the following hypothesis was proposed: Abies originated from the middle and high altitudes of the Northern Hemisphere in the middle Cretaceous and it was dispersed southward
in the Eocene due to global climate cooling down. The distribution of Abies was deeply influenced by geological events such as the uplift of Himalaya, the Alps, the Rocky Mountains, the occurrence
of the Asian Monsoon as well as the Quaternary glaciers. Finally, the current distribution pattern appeared in the Quaternary.
The genus Abies has a fossil history and modern distribution pattern similar to that of Cathaya and Pseudolarix.
__________
Translated from Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 2006, 28(5): 439–452 译自: 云南植物研究] |
| |
Keywords: | Abies fossil history modern distribution origin dispersal |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|