Format: ORAL

Alexandra N. Muellner-Riehl1,2, Meliaceae Taxonomic Expert Network

1 Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany 2 German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

Meliaceae comprises woody plants widely distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics, extending into temperate zones. With over 740 species in 58 genera, they constitute a medium-sized family in Sapindales. The Indo-Malesian region is the geographic centre of diversity. Africa-Madagascar is almost as diverse as Indo-Malesia, followed by Australasia. Only eight genera are present in the Neotropics, but they are as diverse as the Africa-Malagasy region as for the number of species. Comparing geological evidence with the fossil record as well as biogeographic studies, there is indication that the nowadays pantropically distributed family has made use of three routes to acquire its current distribution: land connections (i) between Eurasia and North America, (ii) between North America and South America, and (iii) dispersal paths between Africa and South America that have existed since the proposed evolutionary origin of modern Meliaceae (Cretaceous). Although important new insights into Meliaceae evolution have been gained during the past two decades, there are also still open questions. A careful revision of the entire fossil record of Meliaceae will be an important step into a more comprehensive understanding of the biogeographic history of this family, which may serve as a prime example for understanding the evolution of rainforest (and related) taxa on a global scale. A more or less completely sampled species-level phylogeny, accompanied by molecular clock dating making use of the rich fossil record, complemented by biogeographic reconstructions (incl. the investigation of niche evolution), will only be achievable by a scientific community effort, bringing together researchers from different disciplines, who have a keen interest in Meliaceae evolution. The vision of this longer-term research agenda will be to establish thisalso economically very importantfamily as a model group for a better understanding of angiosperm evolution.