The Generation of a Biodiversity Hotspot: Biogeography and Phylogeography of the Western Indian Ocean Islands

Agnarsson, Ingi; Kuntner, Matjaž

doi:10.5772/38958

Cited by 59 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 224 publications

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“…Due to their limited size and geographical isolation leading to reduced gene flows, islands are often characterized by a strikingly high level of endemism. The study of insular environments has thus provided fundamental insights into the understanding of the ecological and evolutionary processes that underlie the structure of biodiversity (Agnarsson and Kuntner 2012;Emerson 2002;Givnish 1997;Losos and Ricklefs 2009;Valente et al 2014). Many island systems, both small (e.g., Hawaii) and large (e.g., Madagascar), are regularly selected as models for studying AR patterns (Parent et al 2008;Vences et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hypothesis of adaptive radiation in evolutionary biology: hard facts about a hazy concept

et al. 2015

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Adaptive radiation is one of the most emblematic concepts in evolutionary biology. However, the current lack of a consensual definition and the diversity of methods used to assess the extent and speed of adaptive radiation indicate the need for a reappraisal of this research field. In order to depict how adaptive radiations have been studied in recent years, we performed a scientometric assessment of 765 articles published between 2003 and 2012 in five journals known to serve a broad audience. From each study, we extracted and analyzed data relative to the taxon and geographical area investigated and to the methodological setup, and we categorized its outcomes and conclusions. This scientometry-oriented work allowed us to identify and discuss trends relative to the way research about adaptive radiations was carried out during the 10-year period starting in 2003. We then provided some recommendations for how to conduct a reliable study of a suspected adaptive radiation. The associated database resulting from our study will be a valuable source of information for biologists as they design a study or put their results in perspective. Our work may also inspire a critical assessment of the relevance of this pivotal concept in evolutionary biology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hypothesis of adaptive radiation in evolutionary biology: hard facts about a hazy concept

et al. 2015

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“…Although it is therefore evident that oceanic dispersal has played a pivotal role in the current distribution pattern of chameleons, the geographical origin of the family and the direction of dispersal are still uncertain. The hypothesis that chameleons originated in Madagascar and later dispersed to Africa where they subsequently radiated [14] is oft-cited [18][19][20][21], despite some conspicuous inconsistencies in that scenario. Although multiple major chameleon clades are found on Madagascar, the chameleon sistergroup Agamidae does not occur there at present, nor is it in the Malagasy fossil record.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large-scale phylogeny of chameleons suggests African origins and Eocene diversification

2013

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Oceanic dispersal has emerged as an important factor contributing to biogeographic patterns in numerous taxa. Chameleons are a clear example of this, as they are primarily found in Africa and Madagascar, but the age of the family is post-Gondwanan break-up. A Malagasy origin for the family has been suggested, yet this hypothesis has not been tested using modern biogeographic methods with a dated phylogeny. To examine competing hypotheses of African and Malagasy origins, we generated a dated phylogeny using between six and 13 genetic markers, for up to 174 taxa representing greater than 90 per cent of all named species. Using three different ancestralstate reconstruction methods (Bayesian and likelihood approaches), we show that the family most probably originated in Africa, with two separate oceanic dispersals to Madagascar during the Palaeocene and the Oligocene, when prevailing oceanic currents would have favoured eastward dispersal. Diversification of genus-level clades took place in the Eocene, and species-level diversification occurred primarily in the Oligocene. Plio-Pleistocene speciation is rare, resulting in a phylogeny dominated by palaeo-endemic species. We suggest that contraction and fragmentation of the Pan-African forest coupled to an increase in open habitats (savannah, grassland, heathland), since the Oligocene played a key role in diversification of this group through vicariance.

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“…Some have suggested that abiotic factors have played an important role, e.g. bio-climate, substrate type, elevation or paleo-precipitation (Yoder and Nowak 2006 ;Pearson and Raxworthy 2009 ;Agnarsson and Kuntner 2012 ;Buerki et al 2013 ;Mercier and Wilmé 2013 ;Rakotoarinivo et al 2013 ). Others have explored the role of potential key innovations in species diversifi cation and niche expansion (Vary et al 2011 ;Evans et al 2014 ;Moore and Robertson 2014 ).…”

Section: Madagascarmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity Conservation and Phylogenetic Systematics

2016

Topics in Biodiversity and Conservation

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The Generation of a Biodiversity Hotspot: Biogeography and Phylogeography of the Western Indian Ocean Islands

Cited by 59 publications

References 224 publications

The hypothesis of adaptive radiation in evolutionary biology: hard facts about a hazy concept

The hypothesis of adaptive radiation in evolutionary biology: hard facts about a hazy concept

Large-scale phylogeny of chameleons suggests African origins and Eocene diversification

Biodiversity Conservation and Phylogenetic Systematics

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