Acknowledging more biodiversity without more species

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(40)

Published: Sept. 25, 2023

Delimiting and naming biodiversity is a vital step toward wildlife conservation research. However, species delimitation must be consistent across biota so that the limited resources available for nature protection can spent effectively objectively. To date, newly discovered lineages typically are either left undescribed thus remain unprotected or being erroneously proposed as new despite mixed evidence completed speciation, in turn contributing to emerging problem of taxonomic inflation. Inspired by recent conceptual methodological progress, we propose standardized workflow combines phylogenetic hybrid zone analyses genomic datasets (“genomic taxonomy”), which phylogeographic do not freely admix ranked species, while those have remained fully genetically compatible subspecies. In both cases, encourage their formal naming, diagnosis, description promote social awareness biodiversity. The use loci throughout genome overcomes unreliability widely used barcoding genes when patterns complex, evaluation divergence reproductive isolation unifies long-opposed concepts lineage biological species. We suggest shift assessments from single level (species) two-level hierarchy (species subspecies) will lead more balanced perception intraspecific interspecific diversity valued adequately protected.

Language: Английский

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Diversity, distribution and molecular species delimitation in frogs and toads from the Eastern Palaearctic

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 195(3), P. 695 - 760

Published: Sept. 8, 2021

Abstract Biodiversity analyses can greatly benefit from coherent species delimitation schemes and up-to-date distribution data. In this article, we have made the daring attempt to delimit map described undescribed lineages of anuran amphibians in Eastern Palaearctic (EP) region its broad sense. Through a literature review, evaluated status considering reproductive isolation genetic divergence, combined with an extensive occurrence dataset (nearly 85k localities). Altogether 274 native 46 genera ten families were retrieved, plus eight additional introduced other realms. Independent hotspots richness concentrated southern Tibet (Medog County), circum-Sichuan Basin region, Taiwan, Korean Peninsula main Japanese islands. Phylogeographic breaks responsible for recent situ speciation events shared around Sichuan Mountains, across Honshu between Ryukyu Island groups, but not shallow water bodies like Yellow Sea Taiwan Strait. Anuran compositions suggested restrict zoogeographical limits EP East Asia. rapidly evolving field, our study provides checkpoint appreciate patterns diversity under single, spatially explicit, framework that integrates phylogeographic data taxonomic research.

Language: Английский

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Systematics of the Little Red Tree Frog, Litoria rubella (Anura: Pelodryadidae), with the description of two new species from eastern Australia and arid Western Australia

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5594(2), P. 269 - 315

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

The Litoria rubella species complex (L. capitula and L. rubella) is distributed across much of continental Australia, southern New Guinea, the Tanimbar Islands Indonesia, in habitats ranging from deserts to tropical forests. We carried out an appraisal molecular genetics, advertisement calls, morphological variation complex. Analyses thousands nuclear gene SNPs nucleotide sequences mitochondrial ND4 identified four reciprocally monophyletic lineages both marker types, two exclusively one Australia/New Guinea Islands. calls three on Australia have overlapping but significant differences number pulses notes, dominant frequency, call duration, particularly where come into contact. lineage genetically morphologically distinct represents capitula. Molecular data together support recognition Australia: a widespread central arid northern tropics lineage, western zone eastern mesic lineage. sensu stricto Kimberley Top End regions, zone, Murray Darling Basin, making it extreme climate-generalist. SNP indicates that has flow north Lake Eyre Basin not south, possible ring species. does differ appearance or geographically disjunct phylogenetically distinct. primarily east Great Dividing Range Cape York Queensland. redescribe stricto, describe as new species, pyrina sp. nov. larisonans respectively. Although are similar, they do overlap distribution, identification non-problematic. can be distinguished at contact zones by having with higher frequency. investigated history morphology type for mystacina designate nomen dubium. Australian likely conservation status Least Concern abundant, no threats. Little known about outside few existing museum specimens.

Language: Английский

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A NEW SITE RECORD OF STRIPED ASIAN TREEFROG (AMPHIBIA: RHACOPHORIDAE: Chirixalus trilaksonoi) FROM SUMATRA, WITH REEVALUATION OF ITS CONSERVATION STATUS

TREUBIA, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 50(2), P. 111 - 124

Published: March 7, 2025

Two of the six Chirixalus species currently known are distributed in Indonesia. Both only to be Java, and they trilaksonoi pantaiselatan. During two field expeditions conducted 2022 Palembang, South Sumatra, we encountered several individuals exhibiting morphological similarities C. trilaksonoi. Subsequent analysis, encompassing molecular, morphological, bioacoustic, was undertaken ascertain identity these individuals. The analyses outcomes unequivocally confirm that specimens from Palembang indeed Nevertheless, slight variations were observed between Javanese Sumatran populations These exhibited a low genetic distance 0.6% mitochondrial DNA displayed three polymorphic sites. Furthermore, there differences various characteristics, advertising calls. IUCN red-list status this also evaluated, based on available evidence, propose as Vulnerable according criteria B1ab(iii). This study stresses importance comprehensive taxon studies, especially neighboring island, one biogeographical region.

Language: Английский

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Australian Frog Atlas: species’ distribution maps informed by the FrogID dataset

Technical Reports of the Australian Museum online, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 36, P. 1 - 48

Published: June 29, 2022

We use data from the citizen science project FrogID, comprised of expert-validated, spatially accurate occurrence records frog species across Australia, to map known distributions Australia’s frogs. combined over half a million 209 FrogID dataset with expert-checked national biodiversity aggregate (Atlas Living Australia) and published literature, create distribution maps for all 247 native Australia introduced cane toad (Rhinella marina). These represent most up-to-date, detailed set Australian available, reveal richness patterns continent. They are an Open Access resource researchers, conservation practitioners land managers, aim better understanding conserving This is version one Frog Atlas, which we expect update on approximately annual basis. The Atlas maps—as shapefiles in KML format—are online as supplemental (see Cutajar et al., 2021).

Language: Английский

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Genomic and bioacoustic variation in a midwife toad hybrid zone: A role for reinforcement?

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(11), P. e0314477 - e0314477

Published: Nov. 25, 2024

Hybrid zones, i.e., geographic areas where diverging lineages meet, hybridize and eventually mix their genomes, offer opportunities to understand the mechanisms behind reproductive isolation speciation. zones are particularly well suited study reinforcement, process by which selection against hybridization increases barriers, which, in anuran amphibians, is typically expressed increased divergence advertisement calls–the main cue assortative mating–in parapatric ranges. Using mitochondrial barcoding (16S sequences), population genomics (thousands of SNPs) bioacoustic analyses (four call parameters), we examine hybrid zone between two incipient species midwife toads ( Alytes obstetricans A . almogavarii ) southern France, with purposes locating transition, measuring genetic introgression, documenting potential signatures reinforcement. We map range boundaries Eastern Pyrenees southwestern foothills Massif Central, namely along Ariège valley Montagne Noire area. Similarly another transition these Spain, found be narrow, involving geographically restricted gene flow (~20 km wide allele frequency clines) barrier loci (i.e., resisting introgression), both suggestive partial post-zygotic (hybrid incompatibilities). The calls overlap less inside than outside zone, due a reduction standing variation rather shift towards distinctive variants. While neutral causes cannot excluded, this pattern follows general expectations yet without character displacement. Our highlights amphibian assess behavioral drivers statu nascendi under various evolutionary contexts.

Language: Английский

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Anthropogenic habitat modification alters calling phenology of frogs

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(21), P. 6194 - 6208

Published: Aug. 2, 2022

Anthropogenic habitat modification significantly challenges biodiversity. With its intensification, understanding species' capacity to adapt is critical for conservation planning. However, little known about whether and how different species are responding, particularly among frogs. We used a continental-scale citizen science dataset of >226,000 audio recordings 42 Australian frog investigate calling-a proxy breeding-phenology varied along an anthropogenic gradient. Calling started earlier breeding seasons lengthened with increasing intensity. Breeding averaged 22.9 ± 8.25 days (standard error) longer in the most modified compared least regions, suggesting that activity was sensitive modification. also examined calls gradient by analysing temporal spectral properties advertisement from subset 441 three broadly distributed species. There no appreciable effect on any measured call variables, although there high variability. continued modification, may shift towards seasons, largely unknown ecological consequences terms proximate ultimate fitness.

Language: Английский

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Anuran accents: Continental‐scale citizen science data reveal spatial and temporal patterns of call variability

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(21), P. 12115 - 12128

Published: Oct. 6, 2020

Abstract Many animals rely on vocal communication for mating advertisement, territorial displays, and warning calls. Advertisement calls are species‐specific, serve as a premating isolation mechanism, reinforce species boundaries. Nevertheless, there is great deal of interspecific variability advertisement Quantifying the among individuals within across critical to understand call evolution boundaries, may build foundation further research in animal communication. However, collecting large volume recordings geographic area has traditionally posed logistical barrier. We used data from continental‐scale citizen science project FrogID investigate spatial temporal patterns characteristics six Australian frog species. found intraspecific both duration peak frequency Using resampling methods, we show that was related number recorded, encompassed by those individuals, intra‐annual time difference between recordings. conclude order accurately variation, or “anuran accents,” sample must be numerous ( N ≥ 20), encompass relative species' range, collected throughout calling season.

Language: Английский

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Citizen science aids the quantification of the distribution and prediction of present and future temporal variation in habitat suitability at species’ range edges

Frontiers of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 21, 2023

Citizen science programs are effective methods to collect large volumes of data assist researchers in monitoring ecological environments. As species shift their distributions globally due climate change, the use citizen detect these shifts is increasing. Using targeted on could provide information range edges inform distribution modelling. Currently, models (SDMs) often rely repositories that may lack observations, and hence ability, changes at edge. Here, we developed a SDM compare traditional repository observations with southern limit two recreationally important marine fish Tasmania, Australia investigate potential change spatial predictions The using addition observation improved representation by 2.3 52.7% increased 277 438 km, for snapper King George whiting, respectively. Future (centred around 2050 under IPCC RCP 8.5) habitat suitability was predicted increase more over winter season, implications overwintering persistence populations. allowed modelling historical future range-extending species, an outcome possible collaboration collected observational target species. Species will require ongoing have demonstrated complimentary initiatives capturing occurrences Increasing between further collection efforts knowledge create hub be used efficiently future.

Language: Английский

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Assessment of the acoustic adaptation hypothesis in frogs using large‐scale citizen science data

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 320(4), P. 271 - 281

Published: June 6, 2023

Abstract Acoustic communication is vital to the survival and fitness of many vertebrates. While successful reliant on acoustic signals reaching an intended receiver maintaining content fidelity, propagating are attenuated by environmental factors such as habitat type. The adaptation hypothesis (AAH) predicts that properties selected for optimal transmission in habitats which they propagate. To date, consistent evidence support theory lacking, but studies have typically been primarily based localized datasets with small sample sizes. Citizen science emerging a potential means overcome challenges associated broad‐scale sampling, allowing us assess validity AAH frogs continental scale. We analysed male advertisement calls 674 individual banjo ( Limnodynastes dorsalis , L. dumerilii interioris terraereginae ) from across their range, pairing these citizen data remotely sensed measures complexity. we detected considerable variation structure within among frog species, this was not strongly correlated Thus, found no AAH. However, our study spanning area over 1.7 million km 2 conducted largest‐scale test contributing global understanding signal evolution.

Language: Английский

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