Subtropical islands are often viewed as refuges where Quaternary climatic shifts driving global episodes of extinction were buffered. Island biodiversity, however, may have been impacted by climatic fluctuations at local scales, particularly in spatially heterogeneous island systems. In this study, we generated a conceptual framework for predicting the potential impact of Pleistocene extinctions on the biogeographical pattern of the Canarian spermatophyte flora, with a focus on the easternmost Canarian islands (ECI). Then, we performed an exhaustive bibliographic revision (270 studies) to examine whether taxonomic, phylogenetic and phylogeographical data support our predictions. Although molecular information is limited for many lineages, the available data suggest that the majority of extant ECI plant taxa may be the result of relatively recent (<1 Ma) dispersal from surrounding insular and mainland areas. Different lines of evidence are compatible with the idea of a Pleistocene period of frequent lineage extirpation on ECI. Extinction may thus have provided new ecological opportunities for recent (re)colonization, with some cases of recent establishment mediated by facilitation. Considering background extinction on ECI, we describe five general patterns of colonization for Canarian plant lineages. In addition to factors related to island ontogeny and long‐distance dispersal, we suggest that Pleistocene extinctions may have significantly contributed to extant biogeographical patterns in the Canarian archipelago, such as the biased distribution ranges of island plants and the low endemic richness on ECI. This new scenario provides testable hypotheses for future studies dealing with the phylogeography, taxonomy and conservation of terrestrial biodiversity on the Canarian islands, and possibly, on other near‐shore islands.

1. The transportation of plants and insects between countries often has negative consequences, but also provides opportunities to study community processes. Fig trees are a species-rich group of largely tropical and subtropical plants, characterised by their unusual inflorescences (figs). 2. Ficus microcarpa is a native of Asia and Australasia and frequently planted elsewhere. Widespread introductions of its pollinator fig wasp, Eupristina verticillata, have allowed the tree to reproduce and become increasingly invasive. Non-pollinating fig wasps (NPFW) are also widely introduced. 3. Here, we combine previously published records of the distributions of fig wasps associated with F. microcarpa with the results of our extensive surveys across much of its introduced and native ranges. At least 43 morpho-species of fig wasps are associated with figs of F. microcarpa, most of which have only Correspondence:

Well‐characterized examples of homoploid hybrid speciation (HHS) are rare in nature, yet they offer the potential to study a number of evolutionary processes. In this study, we investigate putative homoploid hybrid species in the genus Argyranthemum (Asteraceae), a group of plants endemic to the Macaronesian archipelagos of the North Atlantic Ocean. We specifically address a number of knowledge gaps surrounding the origin(s) of A. sundingii and A. lemsii, which are thought to be derived from the same parental cross. Comparisons of leaf morphology suggest that A. sundingii and A. lemsii are distinct from their parental progenitors and distinguishable from each other based on leaf area. Ecological niche modelling (ENM) demonstrated that the homoploid hybrid species occupy novel habitats that are intermediate relative to the parental species. Nuclear simple sequence repeat markers (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data indicate that the homoploid hybrid species are distinct from the parental taxa, while population‐level sampling of chloroplast SSRs and approximate Bayesian computation show that A. sundingii and A. lemsii are independently derived from the same parental cross. As such, Argyranthemum represents an example of independent homoploid hybrid speciation events with evidence of divergence in leaf morphology and adaptation to novel intermediate habitats. On oceanic islands, which are often typified by steep ecological gradients and inhabited by recently derived species with weak reproductive barriers, multiple HHS events from the same parental cross are not only possible but also likely to have played a more important role in oceanic island radiations than we currently think.

We examined data for 11 allozyme loci in 14 populations that represent the distribution of the endangered Lotus kunkelii, the narrowly distributed L. arinagensis (both endemic to Gran Canaria), and the broad-ranging L. lancerottensis (endemic to the easternmost Canary Islands, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) to explore and construe patterns of genetic variation and use this data to assess the controversial taxonomic status of L. kunkelii relative to L. lancerottensis. While L. kunkelii maintains low levels of variation, presumably as a consequence of prolonged inbreeding due to very low population size and sharp geographic isolation, the other two taxa have much higher indicators of polymorphism than those reported for other oceanic island endemics. Lotus arinagensis has the highest genetic polymorphism and the lowest interpopulation differentiation, presumably because of its considerable antiquity and habitat stability, despite recent fragmentation. The high interpopulation differentiation in L. lancerottensis is attributed to the Atlantic acting as a barrier, reducing gene flow within islands. Evolutionary analysis of the allozyme evidence indicates that L. kunkelii is genetically closer to L. arinagensis than to L. lancerottensis, thereby dispelling the taxonomic uncertainty and supporting L. kunkelii as a distinct species, warranting legal protection in the forthcoming catalog of threatened Canarian species.

15 The sub-alpine zones of oceanic islands are unique and dynamic ecosystems with high 16 levels of endemism, making them particularly suitable model systems in which to 17 investigate evolutionary and biogeographic processes. The sub-alpine flora of the Canary 18 Islands is restricted to the islands of Tenerife and La Palma. Its origins are poorly 19 understood. Echium wildpretii Hook.f. is an iconic species of the subalpine zones of these 20 two islands, with distinct subspecies recognised on each island. This study examines 21 patterns of genetic and morphological diversity in E. wildpretii to investigate the diversity 22 and evolution of the lineage. Nine microsatellite markers were designed and used to 23 investigate population genetic structure and patterns of gene flow within and between 24 islands and populations. Morphological characters were assessed to test the distinctiveness 25 of the two subspecies recognised. Strong genetic differentiation was observed between 26 islands with higher genetic diversity on the younger island of La Palma than on Tenerife.27 Very low levels of inter-island gene flow were observed indicating that these taxa are 28 reproductively isolated and evolving independently. Morphological analysis confirmed the 29 distinctiveness of plants from the two islands. Given their genetic and morphological