Evolutionary mechanisms that shape diversity and distribution in a tropical biodiversity hotspot

Abstract

We aim at better understanding the determinants of species diversity and endemism patterns in a shrinking biodiversity hotspot: the Atlantic Forest. We focus on the Lepidoptera to quantify the extent and magnitude of dispersal, adaptation, speciation, and anthropogenic factors in shaping current species and genetic diversity. We will estimate comprehensive phylogenomic trees and compile large datasets of geo-referenced species occurrences, to estimate the contribution of species traits and the environment to distributional ranges. We will also infer dispersal and diversification dynamics to evaluate the tempo and mode of diversity and endemism accumulation. Finally, we will use in-depth genomic data of six parapatric species to identify population processes acting during differentiation along elevational gradients. Altogether, this project will elucidate how species and their genomes respond to environmental changes in a unified framework, offering novel perspectives on how genomics and big-data analyses can enhance our understanding of drivers shaping biodiversity patterns. (AU)