Biologists have long been fascinated by islands and island-like systems, such as mountain tops and edaphic islands, due to their unique biotas and high endemism resulting from their geographical and environmental isolation. These systems have been referred to as natural laboratories for studying evolutionary processes, dispersal, establishment, and adaptive radiation. Lineages that have adapted to island-like systems often show a reduced further dispersibility. While mountains and islands have some similarities, recent studies have shown that their unique features and associated differences should be considered for implementing conservation measures in the face of global change scenarios.
As mountains and islands face modifications in biotic composition due to climate change and other factors, we need to understand the past, present, and future of these systems to inform conservation measures and policy. In this context, we invite submissions for a special issue on “Past, present and future of mountain and island systems” in the Journal of Systematics and Evolution.
The Journal of Systematics and Evolution welcomes submissions in all aspects related to the biogeography, evolution, and conservation of mountain and island systems. Topics of interest include phylogenomics and phylogenetics of large or complex groups occurring in mountains and/or islands, newly explored biogeographic and evolutionary aspects of major clades and mountain/island biomes, and more.
The special issue is organized by Alexandra N. Muellner-Riehl, Suzette Flantua, Fabien Anthelme, and Thomas Ibanez, and the deadline for manuscript submission is 30 June 2023. Note that all manuscripts will be rigorously peer-reviewed and held to the standards of the journal. The target date for publication of the special issue is November 2023, although accepted manuscripts will be published online in advance of the issue.
For any questions, please contact the organizers. Alexandra N. Muellner-Riehl ([email protected]) and Suzette Flantua ([email protected]) for mountains, and Fabien Anthelme ([email protected]) and Thomas Ibanez ([email protected]) for islands. For more information, click here!