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The rise of grasslands is linked to atmospheric CO2 decline in the late Palaeogene

Biology

The rise of grasslands is linked to atmospheric CO2 decline in the late Palaeogene

L. Palazzesi, O. Hidalgo, et al.

Dive into this fascinating research by Luis Palazzesi, Oriane Hidalgo, Viviana D. Barreda, Félix Forest, and Sebastian Höhna, which uncovers how the historic decline in atmospheric CO2 around 34 million years ago sparked a surge in diversification rates among two prominent grassland families: Poaceae and Asteraceae. Surprisingly, temperature fluctuations didn’t hold the same influence on diversification as CO2 levels did!

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Playback language: English
Abstract
This research explores the relationship between past atmospheric CO2 and temperature fluctuations and the diversification rates of Poaceae (grasses) and Asteraceae (daisies), two dominant grassland families. A Bayesian approach, incorporating a novel method for handling missing species data in phylogenies, was used to analyze time-calibrated phylogenies. The study found strong evidence for a simultaneous increase in diversification rates for both families following a significant atmospheric CO2 reduction around 34 million years ago (Mya). Fluctuations in paleo-temperatures showed no significant relationship with diversification.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Jan 12, 2022
Authors
Luis Palazzesi, Oriane Hidalgo, Viviana D. Barreda, Félix Forest, Sebastian Höhna
Tags
CO2 reduction
diversification rates
Poaceae
Asteraceae
paleo-temperatures
phylogenies
Bayesian analysis
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