Program for PST- Session 8: Biodiversity, Ecological Interactions, Range Shifts and Database Science

Time: 14:00 GMT Tuesday, 16th Feb 2021 (check your time zone here)

1. Welcome and introduction [10 mins]

2. Talks [15 mins for each]

(1). Linking modern-day relicts to a Miocene mangrove community of western Amazonia

Matteo Sciumbata ( University of Amsterdam )

Short abstract: Miocene marine incursions into the Amazon basin may have enriched its flora biodiversity by facilitating coastal taxa colonisation of terrestrial landscapes. We studied the palynological composition of Amazonian Miocene sediments rich in mangrove pollen and identified nearest living relatives of fossil taxa. We conclude that the Amazonian flora carries an imprint of Miocene coastal communities.

------ Questions ------ [5 min]

(2). Orographic evolution of northern Tibet shaped vegetation and plant diversity in eastern Asia

Shufeng Li ( Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences )

Short abstract: The growth of the Tibetan Plateau throughout the past 66 million years has profoundly affected the Asian climate... We approach this question by integrating modeling results and fossil data. We show that growth of north and northeastern Tibet affects vegetation and, crucially, plant diversity in eastern Asia by altering the monsoon system....

------ Questions ------ [5 min]

(3). Reconstructing the Cenozoic history of the fossil pollen Striatopollis catatumbus using convolutional neural networks

Ingrid Romero ( Morehead State University )

Short abstract: Using the pollen morphospecies, Striatopollis catatumbus, and using CNN models, this study shows that 1) It is possible to taxonomically separate pollen grains that appear morphologically similar under standard light microscopy, 2) morphological variation within the fossil taxon is linked to phylogenetic diversification and paleobiogeographic distributions.

------ Questions ------ [5 min]

3. Information on future sessions and message from organisers [5 mins]