Extinction Risk and Diversification Are Linked in a Plant Biodiversity Hotspot.

Authors :: Davies, T. Jonathan
Smith, Gideon F.
Bellstedt, Dirk U.
Boatwright, James S.
Bytebier, Benny
Cowling, Richard M.
Forest, Félix
Harmon, Luke J.
Muasya, A. Muthama
Schrire, Brian D.
Steenkamp, Yolande
van der Bank, Michelle
Savolainen, Vincent
Source :: PLoS Biology; May2011, Vol. 9 Issue 5, p1-9, 9p, 1 Diagram, 2 Charts, 2 Graphs
Publication Year :: 2011
Abstract: The article presents a study which examines the extinction risk and diversification of phylogenetic tree from the biodiversity hotspot in Cape of South Africa. The study analyzes the unusual phylogenetic structure of the plant which shows its distribution of plant extinction risks. Results reveal that the increase of extinction risk from Cape flora differs from vertebrates and extinction risk was higher in fast-evolving and young plant lineages.