A recent study published in Science unveils new insights into the origins of biodiversity in Asian tropical rainforests, thanks to the discovery of 90-million-year-old palm fossils in New Guinea.
Researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and global partners combined DNA sequencing of modern rattan palms with the analysis of these prehistoric fossils to trace the evolution of these climbing plants. The study reveals that 90% of rattan diversity emerged in the last 30 million years, rapidly spreading from Southeast Asia.
Borneo played a central role in generating this diversity, while New Guinea fostered unique species in isolation. These findings underscore the importance of individual islands in shaping the region's biodiversity and can inform conservation efforts by pinpointing key areas for protection.
Dr. Benedikt G. Kuhnhäuser emphasizes that understanding biodiversity is crucial for its protection, especially with limited conservation funding.