Biogeographic Overview of Ulmaceae: Diversity, Distribution, Ecological Preferences, and Conservation Status

Abstract

The elm family (Ulmaceae) is a woody plant group with important scientific, societal, and economic value. We aim to present the first biogeographic synthesis investigating the global diversity, distribution, ecological preferences, and the conservation status of Ulmaceae. A literature review was performed to explore the available data for all extant species. Our study made it possible to map the actual global distribution of Ulmaceae with high precision, and to elucidate the centers of diversity, located mainly in China and in the southeastern USA. A detailed comparative analysis of the macroclimatic niche for each species was produced, which shows the general biogeographic pattern of the family and pinpoints the outlier species. The results corroborate recent molecular analyses and support the division of Ulmaceae into two taxonomically, biogeographically, and ecologically well-differentiated groups: the so-called temperate clade with 4 genera and 43 species and the tropical clade with 3 genera and 13 species. The elm family is often described as a typical temperate plant group, however the diversity peak of all Ulmaceae is located in the subtropical zone, and a non-negligible part of the family is exclusively distributed in the tropics. We also noticed that a high proportion of Ulmaceae is linked to humid macro- or microhabitats. Finally, we highlighted that nearly 25% of all Ulmaceae are threatened. Fieldwork, conservation efforts, and research activities are still necessary for this family, particularly for the tropical members and the most endangered species.

Phylogenomics resolves major relationships of Catocala underwing moths

“…within node 5. Species in the Ulmaceae-feeding clade (node 8) occur in diverse East Asian temperate forests where Ulmus and Zelkova occur (Fragnière et al, 2021). The shift to Ulmaceae-feeding from a…”

“…Species in the Ulmaceae‐feeding clade (node 8) occur in diverse East Asian temperate forests where Ulmus and Zelkova occur (Fragnière et al, 2021). The shift to Ulmaceae‐feeding from a Fabaceae‐feeding ancestor likely occurred in East Asia due to the widespread availability of trees in this family, which subsequently may have facilitated diversification in the clade.…”

Palynofloral Change Through the Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming

“…Polyatriopollenites vermontensis was a persistent dominant (Figure 4) and is related to Pterocarya (family Juglandaceae, walnuts) (Pocknall & Nichols, 1996), a genus currently restricted to moist temperate to subtropical forests in Eastern Asia and Western Eurasia (Kozlowski et al, 2018;Zhang, Ree, et al, 2022). Ulmipollenites krempii was also abundant and is similar to extant Planera (Elsik, 1968), an extant genus in the temperate clade of Ulmaceae (elms) (Fragnière et al, 2021;Zhang, Deng, et al, 2022). Cupressacites hiatipites (Cupressaceae, bald cypresses) was likely derived from the genera Metasequoia (dawn redwood) and/or Glyptostrobus (swamp cypress) based on the ubiquitous co-occurrence of pollen and megafossils Pocknall, 1987); both genera grow in mesic to flooded habitats (Averyanov et al, 2009).…”

Age and paleoclimatic implication of middle to upper Miocene plant‐bearing strata in the southern Kanazawa area, Ishikawa Prefecture, Central Japan, based on refined Neogene palynostratigraphy in the Hokuriku district

“…Distribution data were obtained from "Plants of the World Online" (POWO, 2019) and "The Gymnosperm Database" (Earle, 1997). These data were crosschecked using the literature on gymnosperm taxa (Debreczy & Rácz, 2011); Liquidambar (Hoy & Parks, 1994); Alnus (Sakalli, 2017); Betula (Jiang, 1990); Carpinus (He et al, 2020); Corylus (Whitcher & Wen, 2000); Castanea (Mellano et al, 2012); Fagus (Fang & Lechowicz, 2006); Lithocarpus (Chen et al, 2018); deciduous Quercus (Yan et al, 2019); evergreen Quercus (Denk & Grim, 2010); Carya (Zhang et al, 2013); Juglans (Aradhya et al, 2007); Pterocarya (Song et al, 2020); Ulmus and Zelkova (Fragnière et al, 2021); Salix (Wu et al, 2015); Tilia (Pigott, 2012); and Rhus (Miller et al, 2001). Genera in "others" were not included in this climatic classification.…”