Biogeography of the Indo-Australian Archipelago

Abstract

The extraordinary species richness and endemism of the Indo-AustralianArchipelago (IAA) exists in one of the most geologically dynamic regions ofthe planet. The provenance of its biota has been debated, particularly in thearea known asWallacea. Application of molecular genetic approaches and abetter understanding of the region’s complex geology have stimulated muchrecent biogeographic work in the IAA. We review molecular phylogeneticand phylogeographic studies in light of current geological evidence. Presentdistribution patterns of species have been shaped largely by pre-Pleistocenedispersal and vicariance events, whereas more recent changes in the connectivityof islands within the Archipelago have influenced the partitioning ofintraspecific variation. Many genetic studies have uncovered cryptic specieswith restricted distributions. We discuss the conservation significance ofthe region and highlight the need for cross-taxon comparative studies usingnewly developed analytical approaches well suited to the challenges ofhistorical inference in this region

Vicariance and Oceanic Barriers Drive Contemporary Genetic Structure of Widespread Mangrove Species Sonneratia alba J. Sm in the Indo-West Pacific

“…The observed admixture zone is strategically located at the crossroad between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and hence may be receiving genetic input from different neighbouring genetic clusters. Indeed, the well-known genetic break between these two oceans can be more precisely placed at a mere 300-400 km stretch across the Java and Flores Sea [51,52]. Although significant genetic differentiation was detected across the Java and Flores Sea, populations in this region were commonly found to include haplotypes from either side of the genetic break [53,54].…”

DNA Barcoding Indonesian freshwater fishes: challenges and prospects

“…The main reasons for this exceptional diversity are the important fragmentation of the rivers across the numerous islands of the archipelago, together with the occurrence of several major biogeographical boundaries in the country including the Wallace and Lydekker lines ( Fig. 1) and complex palaeoecological and geological histories [33][34][35][36][37].…”

“…Two major biogeographical boundaries are still recognized today in Indonesia (Fig. 1) including the Wallace's line separating Sundaland from Wallacea and the Lydekker's line separating Wallacea from Sahul [33]. Yet, two biodiversity hotspots have been described by Myers and colleagues [1] that match those biogeographical boundaries (Sundaland and Wallacea).…”

Phylogeographic patterns in the Philippine archipelago influence symbiont diversity in the bobtail squid–Vibrio mutualism

“…Biogeographic barriers, as reported by floral and faunal separations, occur worldwide and provide an opportunity to study how physical barriers coupled with other abiotic factors may be affecting species dispersal and ultimately distribution (Lohman et al., 2011; Tonon et al., 2015). Analysis of population structure and physical orientation of the distribution of taxa across these barriers has given us clues to the factors that fragment available habitat (Esselstyn et al., 2010).…”