Phylogenies and their potential for ecological research

The presentation looks at the progress made in plant systematic and phylogenetics over the past 40 years. From small datasets comprising a few individuals and a few hundred nucleotides to the current “mega” datasets including hundreds of thousands of base pairs and thousands of individuals, we look at case examples demonstrating the benefits of integrating an evolutionary framework in plant systematic and taxonomy, DNA barcoding and biogeography. Finally, we introduce past and ongoing collaborative initiatives between systematists and ecologists on several key projects: the Underground Forests of Africa, the Herbivory in African savanna (with Tristan Charles-Dominique), The plant Architecture in the genus Euphorbia and the Patterns of Distribution and seed dispersal in Combretaceae (with Artemis Anest).