Statistical Comparison of Trait-Dependent Biogeographical Models Indicates That Podocarpaceae Dispersal Is Influenced by Both Seed Cone Traits and Geographical Distance

The ability of lineages to disperse long distances over evolutionary timescales may be influenced by the gain or loss of traits adapted to enhance local, ecological dispersal. For example, some species in the southern conifer family Podocarpaceae have fleshy cones that encourage bird dispersal, but it is unknown how this trait has influenced the clade’s historical biogeography, or its importance compared with other predictors of dispersal such...