Plant speciation in the Quaternary

Background There are conflicting views between palaeobotanists and plant systematists/evolutionary biologists regarding the occurrence of speciation in Quaternary. Palaeobotanists advocate that Quaternary was rare despite opposing molecular phylogenetic evidence, extent which appears underappreciated.Aims To document, describe discuss evidence for across different geographical regions based on dated phylogenies related studies.Methods From a search literature, we compiled selection mainly from all continents (except Antarctica) major climate zones.Results Molecular analyses studies show radiations occurred frequently many instances climatic oscillations were likely important drivers them. In studied, particularly evident mountainous areas arid regions, also prevalent oceanic archipelagos.Conclusions Based our survey literature propose there is now overwhelming ubiquitous during We therefore reject view this period briefly possible reasons discrepancy.