I am a PhD student researching the macroecology and macroevolution of palms (Arecaceae) that produce large fruits, or "megafruits." My research focuses on understanding how the extinction of megafaunal seed dispersers, such as giant ground sloths and gomphotheres, during the Late Quaternary has shaped these plants' ecological and evolutionary trajectories. Specifically, I am building a comprehensive global dataset of functional plant traits to identify which palm species historically relied on large vertebrates for seed dispersal. Through this dataset, I aim to explore the long-term ecological consequences for palms that once depended on now-extinct megafauna, such as reduced geographic ranges or heightened extinction risks. By examining the impact of losing key seed dispersers, my work aims to reveal the broader ecological consequences of defaunation, providing insights into what the decline of modern frugivores like elephants and rhinos could mean for tropical ecosystems today.
Keywords
Macroecology, Macroevolution, Palms, Megafauna, Frugivory, Seed Dispersal, Mutualistic Networks, Functional Traits