Evolutionary biogeography and speciation: essay on a synthesis

Abstract

Aim Different continental and insular speciation processes are reviewed. The areal and clinal conceptions of speciation studies are discussed. I propose a revisited cline theory reconciling cline mechanics and allopatric speciation as cline analysis allows quantification in speciation description more easily and integrates polymorphism within speciation processes. In addition, insular speciation illustrates what could have been the first allopatric stages of many current continental speciations. Intrinsic correspondence is shown between areal and clinal conceptions, and between continental and insular speciation processes; this article is thus an essay towards a unified theory of speciation biogeography.

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“…Despite ongoing debate about species concepts, most researchers agree that the origin of independent lineages under geographic isolation ( ϭ allopatry) constitutes the prevalent mode of animal speciation (Salomon 2001, Gavrilets 2003, Coyne and Orr 2004, de Queiroz 2007, Sobel et al 2009, but see Berlocher andFeder 2002, Fitzpatrick andTurelli 2006). Whether or not speciation occurs, allopatry has implications for populationlevel divergences by promoting the origin of lineages, or ' evolutionary signifi cant units ' (e.g.…”

Morphological analysis of Brandt's hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas) reflects the isolation history of Persian Gulf islands and has implications for taxonomy

“…For the Indus Valley population, the observed differentiation is possibly caused by the Indus River acting as a barrier between eastern and western Pakistan. Indeed, the Indus valley may act as if it was an ecological island to Brandt's hedgehogs (Salomon, ). Moreover, our results confirm the distinctness of this relatively isolated population, granting its taxonomic distinction as a subspecies.…”

Towards Solving Darwin's “mystery”: Speciation and Radiation in Lacustrine and Riverine Freshwater Gastropods*

“…For six decades, allopatric speciation has been the dominant concept, as the theoretical possibility of reproductive isolation in allopatry is undebated, and examples are plentiful (reviews, e.g., Barraclough and Vogler 2000, Grant 2001, Salomon 2001, Via 2001, Losos and Glor 2003, Coyne and Orr 2004, Nosil 2008, Butlin et al 2009). Under the allopatric speciation paradigm, geography and its consequence, viz.…”