Christine Bacon
University of Gothenburg

"Parallel divergence across scales"

Abstract:  Environmental heterogeneity across the landscape can lead to lineage divergence and adaptation. Parallel ecological 
divergence is the repeated independent evolution of the same reproductive isolating mechanism. When parallel divergence is 
observed, it serves as strong evidence for the role of natural selection in adaptive evolution. I will review relevant concepts 
about these processes and then present our study system, a palm species complex that exhibits distinct morphotypes, defined 
by their leaf morphology, which occur repeatedly and sympatrically across western Amazonia. Results from data of genomics, 
morphology, climate, soil chemistry, and reproductive biology are used to test for parallel divergence under gene flow. I will 
also present new, preliminary results from low coverage genomes of different leaf types. I will then put our results into 
context by comparing it to other systems and close by emphasizing the importance of understanding the evolution of biodiversity.           

Rosane Collevatti
Universidade Federal de Goiás

"Bridging population genetics, genomics and macroecology to understand the evolution of Neotropical palms"

Abstract: Species from the Neotropics have undergone geographical distribution modifications during the Neogene and the Quaternary, affecting the spatial distribution of genetic diversity. The geographical distribution dynamics may have caused spatial genome sorting as the species expanded tracking suitable environments. Confounding effects due to the spatial correlation of climatic gradients, geographical space and recolonization routes may hinder the disentangling of neutral genetic structure and selection. Thus, unravelling the effects of demographical history and selection in extant genetic diversity is important to better understand the evolution of species distributions. Here I will talk about the interplay between adaptation and genetic drift as a driver of palm species evolution. Particularly, I will discuss the evolutionary success characterizing the high abundance and broad geographical range of the hyperdominant species Mauritia flexuosa, and the evolution of three Acrocomia species with different geographical distributions.

Thomas Couvreur
Pontifícia Universidad Católica del Ecuador

"Global conservation status of palms: where we are and what we need to achieve"

Abstract: Palms are iconic plants of the tropics, but we have yet to know the overall extinction threat its species face. Here I review the current IUCN status of palms worldwide and highlight some iconic examples of conservation efforts. I undertake a global analysis of palm preliminary conservation status using GBIF data and IUCN methods. Finally, I introduce the IUCN Species Specialist Group for Palms and its role in the global conservation of this family.      

William J. Baker
Royal Botanic Gardens

"The future of palm taxonomy"

Abstract: Despite the many challenges of working with palms, the state of knowledge of palm diversity is relatively well-advanced. With a robust checklist of all species, a genus-level monograph and many monographs at species level, and a complete, synthetic phylogeny of all species, we may be forgiven for thinking that the job is done. However, as the twin global crises of climate change and biodiversity extinction start to bite, are we really delivering what is needed? Drawing on experiences of an ongoing monograph of the palms of New Guinea and palm phylogenetics, I will offer personal some reflections on the state of palm taxonomy and the steps we must take as a community to ensure our efforts best serve a planet in peril. 

PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS - CHECK HERE THIS SECTION ABSTRACTS
Caroline Dracxler (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)  & Alexandra Pires (UFRRJ, Brazil)
Interactions between plant and animal species are biologically important relationships that can influence the abundance, distribution and genetic composition of the organisms involved. Plant-animal interactions are often established on the basis of resource exploitation by the animals (e.g. nectar-feeding and frugivory), but plants can also benefit from these interactions (e.g. effective pollination and seed dispersal). Palms are an ideal model group to investigate how plant-animal interactions are structured along communities and ecosystems and how they influence plant dynamics, genetic diversity and species distribution because they are highly diverse, abundant, widely distributed and provide key resources for animals. In this section we aim to showcase some fascinating research examples of how species traits and distribution shape plant-animal interactions, their outcomes and patterns, to illustrate how animals (or their lack thereof) can influence palm ecology and evolution.

Suelen Alves Vianna (Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC), São Paulo, Brazil) & Bruno Francisco Sant’Anna-Santos (Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR, Brazil)
Palms have morphological, anatomical, and biochemical characteristics that are unique within the plant kingdom, and therefore constitute a widely diverse group of plant species – making them both challenging and interesting to study. Studies focusing on understanding how those characteristics differ, and how they combine to form the species that we know today, are fundamental to understanding the evolutive history of the Arecaceae family and their correct botanical characterization. That information will also aid in the elaboration of geographic distribution maps of the species as well as the construction of sound conservation strategies that can orient the sustainable use of their valuable natural resources.

USES AND CONSERVATION - CHECK HERE THIS SECTION ABSTRACTS
Monica Moraes (Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivia) & Evandro José Linhares Ferreira (INPA, Brasil)
Palms are very important for human subsistence and generate incomes for their well-being. Based on ethnobotanical work and ethnoecological surveys, case studies at the international level are illustrated. The utility and conservation include current patterns in traditional knowledge of peoples and the construction of new ecosystems. Conservation status assessment is considered as a tool to protect uses and reduce threats as well as ex situ conservation efforts in botanical gardens.