Functional and historical drivers of leaf shape evolution in Palms (Arecaceae)

Aim Leaves display a remarkable variety of shapes, each with potential ecological advantages in specific climates. While the relations between leaf shape and either climate or height have been relatively well studied eudicots, macroecological drivers remain poorly known monocots. Here, we investigated associations plant evolution clade high species morphological diversity. Location Global. Time period Cretaceous to contemporary. Major taxa Palms (Arecaceae). Methods We apply Bayesian phylogenetic mixed model test for (all – entire-leaved, pinnate-dissected, palmate-dissected costapalmate). further reconstruct ancestral using multistate speciation extinction models compare frequency shapes global temperatures through time. Results find that associates dissected leaves annual precipitation pinnate shapes. The is unclear, but early diversification was dominated by pinnate-dissected palms, which has remained most species-rich form throughout palm history. Main Conclusions are tall live humid regions more likely leaves. Through geological time scales, temperature did not play an obvious role determining This study contributes our understanding how diversity linked biological climatic factors.