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Dr. Jay Edneil Olivar

Dr. Jay Edneil Olivar

Research Fellow

iDiv Flex Pool
iDiv BioDivForschg Lpz
Puschstraße 4
04103 Leipzig

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Abstract

I am currently a Postdoctoral researcher at iDiV for the BioSpec project funded through the Flexpool program. I am working with the enigmatic Andean tree genus Polylepis to test the genic species concept, which states that maintenance of species identity is controlled by a gene or a set of interacting genes rather than the whole genome. We aim to test this by using ddRADseq data of widely distributed and morphologically distinct species which is growing sympatrically with other clearly distinct species. We hypothesize that there will be extensive gene flow and that this is not a hindrance to the maintenance of species identity and distinctness, challenging current species concepts.

Education

  • 10/2018 - 11/2023
    Dr. rer. nat. (PhD)Leipzig University, Institute of Biology, Department of Molecular Evolution and Plant Systematics & Herbarium, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, GermanyDissertation: Systematics of Philippine Cyrtandra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Gesneriaceae)

I am a plant systematist interested in describing biodiversity particularly in the tropics. I am currently employed as a Postdoctoral researcher in the BioSpec project which is funded through FlexPool of the iDiV. I aim to assess whether morphologically distinct entities of the high-Andean tree genus Polylepis are maintained despite gene flow between geographically adjacent species. I aim to use ddRADseq data to answer two overarching questions. (I) Are the geographically adjacent but taxonomically and morphologically distinct Polylepis species linked through gene flow, i.e., is there molecular evidence for hybridization between adjacent, currently recognized species? (II) How genetically similar are individuals of widespread Polylepis species a) at different geographic locations and b) compared to their respective neighboring species?

  • Systematics of Philippine Cyrtandra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Gesneriaceae)
    Müllner-Riehl, Alexandra Nora
    Duration: 10/2018 – 09/2023
    Funded by: DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst; BMBF Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: Molekulare Evolution und Systematik der Pflanzen
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  • Biological species delimitation revisited using the high Andean tree genus Polylepis (Rosaceae) as a model "BioSpec"
    Hensen, Isabell
    Duration: 12/2023 – 12/2025
    Involved organisational units of Leipzig University: iDiv Flex Pool
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more projects

  • Olivar, J. E.; Atkins, H.; Bramley, G.; Pelser, P.; Hauenschild, F.; Müllner-Riehl, A. N.
    A synopsis of Philippine Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae)
    Taxon. 2022.
    DOI: 10.1002/tax.12725
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  • Atkins, H.; Bramley, G.; Nishii, K.; Möller, M.; Olivar, J. E.; Kartonegoro, A.; Hughes, M.
    Sectional polyphyly and morphological homoplasy in Southeast Asian Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae): consequences for the taxonomy of a mega-diverse genus
    Plant Systematics and Evolution. 2021. 307 (60).
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-021-01784-x
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  • Olivar, J. E.; Atkins, H.; Hauenschild, F.; Müllner-Riehl, A. N.
    Cyrtandra argentii, a new species of Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) from the Philippines, and a review of the C. villosissima group
    European journal of taxonomy. 2020. pp. 1–15.
    DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.676
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  • Olivar, J. E.; Müllner-Riehl, A. N.
    Replacement names for Cyrtandra humilis Elmer and Cyrtandra umbellata Kraenzl., two endemic Philippine species (Gesneriaceae)
    Phytotaxa. 2019. 418 (1). pp. 117–118.
    DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.418.1.10
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  • Olivar, J. E.; Hauenschild, F.; Atkins, H.; Bramley, G.; Muellner-Riehl, A.
    Early diversification dynamics in a highly successful insular plant taxon are consistent with the general dynamic model of oceanic island biogeography
    Journal of Systematics and Evolution. 2024.
    DOI: 10.1111/jse.13049
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more publications

  • Andere Stipendien/Forschungspreise: SYNTHESYS Access
    Olivar, Jay Edneil (Molekulare Evolution und Systematik der Pflanzen)
    awarded in 2019 by SYNTHESYS.
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  • Andere Stipendien/Forschungspreise: 2020 IAPT Research Grant
    Olivar, Jay Edneil (Molekulare Evolution und Systematik der Pflanzen)
    awarded in 2020 by International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT).
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  • Publikationspreis: Diversity Travel Award
    Olivar, Jay Edneil (Molekulare Evolution und Systematik der Pflanzen)
    awarded in 2024 by Diversity Journal.
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more awards