Might be of interest.
For YETI
Debabrata Phukon
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Madhavi Latha <madhavi@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 8:40 PM
Subject: REMINDER: Open defense of PhD thesis by Sandeep Sen on October 31,
2019 (Thursday) at 11:00 am
To: Madhavi Latha <madhavi@xxxxxxxxx>
On 10/22/2019 4:56 PM, Madhavi Latha wrote:
You are cordially invited to an open defense of PhD thesis
*Center of origin of Black pepper and Phylogeny of the Genus Piper in India*
By
*Sandeep Sen*
*Ph.D. Scholar, ATREE*
Date & Time: October 31, 2019 at 11:00 AM
Venue: ATREE auditorium
------------------------------
*Abstract*
Crop wild relatives (CWR) are sources of genetic diversity for modern-day
crop plants and are important components of biodiversity. Accelerated
biodiversity loss through habitat destruction, fragmentation, invasive
species, rapid developmental activities and the expansion of agriculture,
has put the survival of many CWR at risk. The loss of CWR will eventually
pose serious problems for sustaining food security. Detailed information on
natural history, evolution and patterns of genetic diversity of the CWR can
provide useful tools for devising sound management programs. However, there
is a paucity of such detailed datasets for several CWR across the world. Using
the economically important genus *Piper* (Piperaceae) as a model system, my
study focuses on understanding the factors influencing the origin and
distribution of the genus in Peninsular India. The study was carried out
in the Western Ghats region of Peninsular India, which harbors several wild
relatives of crop plants.
In this study, a comprehensive distribution maps of the genus *Piper *in
this region was developed from field-based surveys spanning from
2013-2017. Ecological
niche models for *P. nigrum *and its relatives for the current and future
climate scenarios were built using carefully curated primary distribution
records. In addition, future range dynamics of these species were assessed
under a “full dispersal” and “no dispersal” assumptions. Overall, these
models suggest the possibility of habitat loss for the selected species
including *P. nigrum* under future climate change scenarios. Predictions
from these models identified areas to focus on future conservation efforts.
The second chapter resolved the taxonomic relationships and biogeographic
history of *Piper* species found in Peninsular India. Using a multilocus
phylogeny, the taxonomic uncertainties were fixed and the Peninsular Indian
*Piper* species were assigned to three major clades. Biogeographic
reconstructions on a dated phylogenetic hypothesis revealed that the
*Piper* species
arrived 'into India' via dispersal after the collision of the Indian plate
with Eurasia. The dispersals were followed by *in-situ* radiations in a few
lineages and back dispersal to Southeast Asia. The analysis provides
additional evidence that *P. nigrum *evolved in the Western Ghats hotspot
during the late-Miocene. Furthermore, three new putative species were
identified from the Western Ghats hotspot.
In the last chapter, using a combination of chloroplast (maternally
inherited) and nuclear (biparentally inherited) molecular markers, the
intraspecific genetic structure of wild populations of *P. nigrum *were
examined. Three major chloroplast clusters were found within the Western
Ghats i.e. 1) a southern group, 2) a widespread group, and 3) a northern
group. A demographic analysis of these groups suggests a recent population
expansion followed by a simultaneous split. The nuclear data indicates the
existence of two major genetic clusters, one belonging to the Southern
Western Ghats and the other to the Central Western Ghats. This study
identified areas of high genetic diversity of *P. nigrum *in the Western
Ghats, which could aid in conservation and sustainable management of wild
relatives of *P. nigrum*.
Overall, this study provides baseline information for conserving the CWR of
*P. nigrum* through a comprehensive understanding of its range dynamics,
evolutionary history and its population genetic structure in the wild. The
key findings from this thesis are expected to directly contribute to the
conservation of wild crop diversity of Black pepper in Peninsular India.
------------------------------
*Tea/coffee will be served downstairs at 10:30 AM*
--
__________________________________________________________________
Madhavi Latha G
The Academy for Conservation Science and Sustainability Studies
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE),
Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur PO
Bangalore 560064, India
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Phone: +91-80-23635555 Extn: 121
Fax: +91-80-23530070
E-mail: madhavi@xxxxxxxxx
_________________________________________________________________
--
__________________________________________________________________
Madhavi Latha G
The Academy for Conservation Science and Sustainability Studies
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE),
Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur PO
Bangalore 560064, India
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Phone: +91-80-23635555 Extn: 121
Fax: +91-80-23530070
E-mail: madhavi@xxxxxxxxx
_________________________________________________________________
--
__________________________________________________________________
Madhavi Latha G
The Academy for Conservation Science and Sustainability Studies
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE),
Royal Enclave, Srirampura, Jakkur PO
Bangalore 560064, India
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Phone: +91-80-23635555 Extn: 121
Fax: +91-80-23530070
E-mail: madhavi@xxxxxxxxx
_________________________________________________________________