Adapting to extremes: Reconstructing evolution in response to changing climate over time and space in the diverse Australian plant genus <i>Acacia</i>

Aim Macroevolutionary analysis is increasingly being used to study biodiversity responses climate change, for example by using phylogenetic node ages infer periods of diversification, or reconstruction traits adaptation particular stresses. Here we apply a recently developed macroevolutionary method investigate the diverse plant genus, Acacia, increasing aridity and salinity in Australia from Miocene present. We ask whether increase tolerance coincided with aridification, if it allowed radiation Acacia into wide range niches. Taxon Acacia. Location Australia. Methods applied Niche Evolution Model (NEMo), which combines environmental (or ecological) niche modelling (ENM) comparative methods (PCMs) single statistical framework, large database presence-only records presence–absence survey sites order current tolerances species reconstruct evolution salinity. Results find that patterns over time across different habitat types, are consistent aridification history suggests substantial ability adapt high Main conclusions Our results suggest many lineages have been able exploit new environments created during through tolerance, resulting their dominance habitats continent. This demonstrates studies changing environment can move beyond application simple trait-based models, allowing underlying processes speciation, dispersal be explicitly modelled macroecological context.