Geographical genetic structuring and phenotypic variation in the Vellozia hirsuta (Velloziaceae) ochlospecies complex

Abstract

It is recommended that Vellozia hirsuta be considered a single enormously variable species. The patterns of variation within V. hirsuta probably are related to climatic changes that occurred during the Pleistocene Epoch in tropical Brazil when reductions in forest cover favored the expansion of V. hirsuta populations into extensive lowland areas. The expansion of forest cover at the end of the glaciations would have again restricted the occurrence of campos rupestres vegetation to high elevations, which constitute the current centers of diversity of this species.

Model-based analysis supports interglacial refugia over long-dispersal events in the diversification of two South American cactus species

“…Phylogeographical studies on plant and animal species associated to these habitats have pointed to the Pleistocene climatic fluctuations and their demographic consequences as an important diversification mechanism accounting to the high diversity and endemism of rocky savanna habitats in eastern South America (Moraes et al, 2009;Barbosa et al, 2012;Franco and Manfrin, 2013;Collevatti et al, 2009Collevatti et al, , 2013Bonatelli et al, 2014;Machado et al, 2014). These studies have provided growing support to the hypothesis that rocky savannas in Eastern South America are interglacial refuge for xerophytic species.…”

Biodiversity hotspots and Ocbil theory

“…Strongly differentiated population systems are a hallmark of many Ocbil taxa, even those that are narrow range endemics (e.g., Cooper et al 2011;Barbosa et al 2012;Bonatelli et al 2014;Millar et al 2014;Binks et al 2015). A recent study in the SWAFR of the trap door spider genus Moggridgea exemplifies this pattern (Cooper et al 2011;Fig.…”

“…'nebula' (Galaxiidae) Chakona et al (2013) x Cryptic speciation Cape sedge Tetraria triangularis (Cyperaceae: Schoeneae) Britton et al (2014) x Low genetic diversity tepui reptiles and frogs. Kok et al (2012) x Tepuihyla tree frogs Salerno et al (2015) x Vellozia hirsuta (Velloziaceae) Barbosa et al (2012) x Cattleya (Orchidaceae) Leles et al (2015) AtRf Frogs Hypsiboas albomarginatus, H. semilineatus, H. faber x Biting Midges (Austroconops (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Borkent and Craig (2004) x Helioporus (Myobatrachidae) frogs and others Morgan et al (2007) x trapdoor spider Moggridgea (Migidae) Cooper et al (2011) x Isopoda: Amphisopidae Gouws and Stewart (2013) Plant Soil (2012); Wood et al (2015) x x Spoon-winged lacewings (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae: Nemopterinae). Sole et al (2013) x x glob Macarthuriaceae, Kewaceae Christenhusz et al(2014) x Berkheya cuneata (Asteraceae) Pleistocene refuges Potts et al (2013) x BKhoisan fringe^in heelwalkers (Mantophasmatodea)…”

A Monograph of the Brazilian endemic genus Lavoisiera (Melastomataceae: Microlicieae)

“…The ochlospecies concept was originally developed by White (1998) in an effort to understand the pattern of variation he encountered in his studies of African Ebenaceae. It has also been invoked to explain the complex phenotypic variation of selected species in other families, including a recent study of a member of the Velloziaceae that also grows in Brazilian campo rupestre (Barbosa et al 2012). According to White an ochlospecies is "a very variable (polymorphic) species, whose variation, though partly correlated with ecology and geography, is of such a complex pattern that it cannot be satisfactorily accommodated within a formal classification".…”