Spatial Phylogenetics of the Native Colombian Flora

Abstract— The evolutionary distribution of native vascular plant diversity in Colombia remains largely unexplored. Mapping extant spatial phylogenetic patterns is a crucial first step toward understanding the processes driving the accumulation of biodiversity in this hyper-diverse country. This study presents the first evaluation of spatial patterns of phylogenetic diversity and endemism within Colombia’s native flora. It aimed to identify where evolutionary diversity and endemism are most concentrated and how these areas are distributed across the country. We analysed 278,551 georeferenced records of native vascular plants and combined them with DNA-based phylogenies at the species and family level. We integrated and analysed this information using a distributional dataset comprising 8337 terminals (species) and 1839 genera. The family level phylogeny contained 266 terminals (families). We performed randomization tests to identify areas with significant phylogenetic diversity, relative phylogenetic diversity, phylogenetic endemism, and conducted a categorical analysis of neo- and paleo-endemism. We identified a total of 17 centers of phylodiversity across Colombia, with three major ones primarily located in the Andean region. After a randomization test, our phylogenetic diversity and endemism findings reveal: 1) a pronounced pattern of phylogenetic clustering across Colombia, with the Andes consistently showing the highest concentrations of phylogenetic diversity and endemism; 2) a high concentration of short-range restricted branches in the northern sections of the western and central cordilleras as well as on the Pacific and Amazon regions; 3) three major biogeographic regions that are phylogenetically distinctive. The overall findings suggest that areas with an intermix of biodiversity cradles and museums are more commonly found at mid to high elevations, while museums are more frequently located in the lowlands.