Molecular phylogenetic dating supports an ancient endemic speciation model in Australia’s biodiversity hotspot

Biogeography and speciation of a direct developing frog from the coastal arid zone of Western Australia

“…The major genetic break between the northern and southern Arenophryne haplotypes is consistent with the genetic differences observed between sister species in other groups within the Myobatrachidae (Morgan et al, 2007;Read et al, 2001). As a result of this work clear morphological differences have been measured and a new species description corresponding to the southern haplotype clade is forthcoming (Doughty and Edwards, submitted ms).…”

“…Climatic fluctuations of the late-Tertiary and Quaternary have been implicated in explaining the extreme diversity of southwestern Australian endemic flora (Hopper, 1979;Hopper and Gioia, 2004). Studies conducted on myobatrachid frogs endemic to southwestern Australia also have suggested that climatic fluctuations have played a role in speciation within several genera, some of which are particularly diverse in the region (Morgan et al, 2007;Wardell-Johnson and Roberts, 1993;Roberts, 1997). Also from the limited phylogeographic studies conducted on southwestern Australian frogs, climate (Driscoll, 1997(Driscoll, , 1998Davis and Roberts, 2005;Edwards et al, 2007) and to a certain extent geological features (Berry, 2001) have influenced the current genetic architecture of endemic species.…”

Biodiversity hotspots and Ocbil theory

“…'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)…”

Genetic diversity and biogeographic history inform future conservation management strategies for the rare sunset frog (Spicospina flammocaerulea)

“…These studies have indicated that catchments are important in capturing genetic diversity within this biodiversity hotspot, particularly in the high-rainfall province (Driscoll 1998a(Driscoll , 1998bMunasinghe et al 2004;Gouws et al 2006;Edwards et al 2008). However, this is not a universal trend, as other anuran species do not show signatures of catchment-based genetic structure (Davis and Roberts 2005;Edwards et al 2007;Morgan et al 2007). The current study of S. flammocaerulea presents a much more detailed and complex scenario.…”

“…These four species all show very high levels of subdivision within species, reflecting both historical patterns of drainage-based difference and the impact of genetic drift and limited local dispersal (Driscoll 1998a(Driscoll , 1998bDriscoll and Roberts 2008). Other species with wider distributions and habitat preferences have either strong patterns of catchment-based genetic structure (Edwards et al 2008) or limited genetic structuring and widespread dispersal (Davis and Roberts 2005;Morgan et al 2007). The sunset frog (Spicospina flammocaerulea) breeds in late spring or early summer in landscapes with a strong winter rainfall maximum and extreme Mediterranean climate.…”