Multiple Ecological Niche Modeling Reveals Niche Conservatism and Divergence in East Asian Yew (Taxus)

Plants, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(7), P. 1094 - 1094

Published: April 1, 2025

Understanding ecological niche evolution patterns is crucial for elucidating biogeographic history and guiding biodiversity conservation. Taxus a Tertiary relict gymnosperm with 11 lineages mainly distributed across East Asia, spanning from tropical to subarctic regions. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of its roles geographical factors in lineage diversification, remain unclear. Using occurrence records, environmental data, reconstructed phylogenies, we employed ensemble models (eENMs), principle components analysis (PCA-env), phyloclimatic modeling analyze similarity among lineages. Based on Bayesian trees distribution characteristics, classified eleven into four clades: Northern (T. cuspidata), Central chinensis, T. qinlingensis, Emei type), Western wallichiana, florinii, contorta), Southern calcicola, phytonii, mairei, Huangshan type). Orogenic activities climate changes Tibetan Plateau since Late Miocene likely facilitated local adaptation ancestral populations China, Hengduan Mountains, Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, driving their expansion diversification towards west south. Key variables, including extreme temperature, temperature precipitation variability, light, altitude, were identified as major drivers current divergence. Both conservatism divergence observed, early followed by recent The clade exhibits high heat moisture tolerance, suggesting an adaptive shift, while clades retain drought cold displaying significant phylogenetic (PNC). We recommend prioritizing conservation which highest PNC level, particularly Qinling, Daba, Taihang are highly degraded vulnerable future fluctuations.

Language: Английский

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Niche divergence among closely related taxa provides insight on evolutionary patterns of ticks

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 48(11), P. 2865 - 2876

Published: Sept. 8, 2021

Abstract Aim Understanding the degree to which closely related taxa diverge in their niche traits could provide insight on evolutionary patterns, as well shed some light mechanisms underpinning broad‐scale biogeographic patterns. The evolution of ticks was thought be driven by hosts. However, recent evidence suggests that tick is more likely habitat conditions. Amblyomma maculatum group provides a good example test former, its incipient speciation raises possibility very rapid adaptation slightly different environments. Location Americas. Taxa Ticks from Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) ( A . tigrinum , triste s.s., s.s. and two intermediate morphs). Methods We addressed question whether differentiation within this results ecological factors, either maintaining similar (conservatism) or occupying distinct niches (divergence). analysed distribution each morphotype with models. Next, we explored these inhabit environments are than expected comparing overlap environmental space. Results found for differentiation, showing members exist respond aspects environments, leading geographical variation. Main conclusions analysis indicates conservatism pairs — s.s.— s.s, traditionally associated allopatric speciation; while divergence suggested remaining comparisons. These findings add additional study ticks, giving support hypothesis conditions driving no strict host specificity.

Language: Английский

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The role of ecological niche conservatism in the evolution of bird distributional patterns in Mesoamerican seasonally dry forests

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(7), P. 1213 - 1229

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Abstract Aim Due to its complex biogeographical and ecological history, the seasonally dry forests (SDF) of Mesoamerica are considered a biodiversity hotspot. SDF currently distributed in relatively large continuous, but isolated areas, which there both high total endemic species numbers. Among birds, few shared across patches; other one these; for two patch, fossils have been recovered different one, suggesting former widespread distribution so species, implying that current distributional patterns probably recent. Location Mesoamerican forests. Methods We assessed role niche divergence/conservatism evolution bird patterns. Using an modelling approach, we estimated palaeodistributions Yucatan Peninsula (YP), Pacific Slope (MPS) with fossil record YP more showing allopatric pattern. For comparison, simulated virtual (VS) matching each pattern, assuming they represent expected patch. To test hypothesis conservatism, equivalence/similarity between patches represented by VS, VS counterpart. Results Our results showed three patterns: (i) no past geographical connectiveness among suitable areas; (ii) not equivalence, despite low overlap distance; (iii) potential divergence. Main Conclusions birds MPS, our suggest absence from may be attributed loss their environmental niche. Widespread either conservatism or endemics underline avifauna.

Language: Английский

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Identification and characterization of a new species of Taxus — Taxus qinlingensis by multiple taxonomic methods

BMC Plant Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: July 11, 2024

Abstract Background The taxonomy of Taxus Linn. remains controversial due to its continuous phenotypic variation and unstable topology, thus adversely affecting the formulation scientific conservation strategies for this genus. Recently, a new ecotype, known as Qinling type , is mainly distributed in Mountains belongs monophyletic group. Here, we employed multiple methods including leaf phenotype comparison (leaf shapes microstructure), DNA barcoding identification (ITS + trn L -trn F rbc L), niche analysis ascertain taxonomic status . Results Multiple comparisons revealed significant differences morphological characters (length, width, length/width ratio) among other species. Leaf anatomical indicated that only T. cuspidata had no papilla under midvein or tannins epicuticle. Phylogenetic belonged Moreover, formed relatively independent niche, it was around Mountains, Ta-pa Taihang situated at an elevation below 1500 m. Conclusions Four characters, namely curvature, margin taper, papillation on midvein, edges were put forward primary indexes distinguishing ecotype Qingling represented evolutionary lineage unique ecological niche. Therefore, suggested should be treated novel species named qinlingensis Y. F. Wen & X. Wu, sp. nov.

Language: Английский

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Climate-driven change and conservation of threatened satyrine butterflies in cloud forests of southern Mexico

Journal of Insect Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 28(2), P. 331 - 343

Published: Feb. 16, 2024

Language: Английский

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Ecological Forecasting for Night Monkeys in the Aotus lemurinus Complex: Climate-driven Threats to Habitat Suitability

International Journal of Primatology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 4, 2025

Language: Английский

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Understanding the role of ecological divergence in the evolution of isolated populations in the Arremonops rufivirgatus species complex across Mesoamerica

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: April 16, 2025

The topographic complexity and wide range of environmental conditions the Neotropical region have allowed evolution most diverse avifauna in world. Distributional patterns within this avian diversity mirror complexity, many species show allopatric distributions environmentally continuous regions. Here, we used variables historical presence records to understand distribution three isolated groups (Gulf, Pacific, Yucatan Peninsula) Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) complex. We assessed role factors underlying geographic complex based on ecological niche modeling performed paleoclimatic reconstructions assess distributional changes suitable areas during Late Pleistocene. Niche similarity was not rejected Pacific/Yucatan comparison, but Gulf/Pacific Gulf/Yucatan comparisons showed differentiation. found regions with low climatic suitability representing a biogeographic barrier for Pacific groups, Gulf suggesting that biotic factors, such as competition ecologically similar species, may be involved isolation. Our results suggest A. rufivirgatus probably evolved due interactions relatively across Slope, contractions leading isolation groups.

Language: Английский

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Insights into the importance of areas of climatic stability in the evolution and maintenance of avian diversity in the Mesoamerican dry forests

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 132(4), P. 741 - 758

Published: Nov. 24, 2020

Abstract We analysed the phylogeographic structure of five resident bird lineages distributed in seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) Mesoamerica to test whether they show patterns synchronous and geographically coincident genetic divergence during Quaternary. generated phylogenetic trees, estimated times populations (based on sequences mitochondrial genes), as well estimating historical distributions (range extension areas long-term climate stability) Late Pleistocene. tested selected scenarios that best explain current taxa using Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) approach. For most species, trees haplotype networks showed a clear associated with geographical distribution. Overall, ranged from 0.29–2.0 Mya, suggesting diversification occurred at different The palaeodistribution models predicted least two climatic stability within SDTF probably allowed glacial-interglacial persistence isolated along Mexican Pacific, thus promoting their divergence. results provide information relevant identification hotspots for Mesoamerican avifauna.

Language: Английский

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Biogeography of a neotropical songbird radiation reveals similar diversification dynamics between montane and lowland clades

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 49(7), P. 1260 - 1273

Published: May 5, 2022

Abstract Aim Continental evolutionary radiations provide opportunities to understand how landscape evolution and biotic factors interact generate species diversity. Additionally, understanding whether diversification dynamics differ between montane lowland environments is a long‐standing question with few comparative analyses in the Neotropics. To address these questions, we investigated biogeographical patterns processes underlying of songbird genus, compared clades occurring Neotropical habitats. Location forests. Taxon Arremon (Aves: Passerellidae). Methods We sequenced genomic data (ultra‐conserved elements, UCEs) 92 individuals (including historical skin specimens) comprising 47 50 currently recognized subspecies genus collected habitat association (1) build most complete phylogenetic hypothesis for date using maximum likelihood Bayesian methods concatenated matrix, multi‐species coalescent method based on quartets; (2) reconstruct their ancestral ranges, rates. Results All recovered essentially same topology strong support values interspecific nodes revealing relationships among species. found evidence humid range Central America late Miocene later expansion into lowlands America, as well mountains South America. Despite some temporal variation rate, overall similar clades. Main conclusion Species diversity within likely underestimated by current taxonomic arrangement. The colonization dry forests, across may have provided new geographical ecological speciation resulting high diversification. Overall were comparable clades, contrasting previous studies focused such comparisons birds.

Language: Английский

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Climatic‐niche evolution with key morphological innovations across clades within Scutiger boulengeri (Anura: Megophryidae)

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(15), P. 10353 - 10368

Published: July 1, 2021

Abstract The studies of climatic‐niche shifts over evolutionary time accompanied by key morphological innovations have attracted the interest many researchers recently. We applied ecological niche models (ENMs), ordination method (environment principal component analyses; PCA‐env), combined phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs), and generalized least squares (PGLS) regression to analyze realized dynamics correspondingly across clades within Scutiger boulengeri throughout their distributions in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) margins China. Our results show there are six S. obvious divergences caused expansion three clades. Moreover, our system, is more popular than unfilling into novel environmental conditions. Annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, precipitation driest month may contribute such a shift. In addition, we identified several climatic factors traits that tend be associated with correspondingly. found phenotypic plasticity [i.e., length lower arm hand (LAHL), hind‐limb (HLL), foot (FL)] changes snout–vent (SVL)] together toward adapting niche, which provides us potential pattern how colonizing toad might seed habitat begin process speciation finally adaptive radiation. For these reasons, persistent phylogeographic divisions accompanying occupancy adaption suggest for future studies, distinct genetic structure corresponding each clade should included modeling evolution dynamics, but not just constructed at species level.

Language: Английский

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