The Phylogenetic Study of Adaptive Zones: Has Phytophagy Promoted Insect Diversification?

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 1988, Volume and Issue: 132(1), P. 107 - 128

Published: July 1, 1988

Simpson's postulate that rapid diversification follows entrance into a new "adaptive zone" is frequently invoked posteriori for groups of unusual diversity. The can be tested more rigorously by defining an adaptive zone according to ecological criteria, independent particular organisms. adaptive-zone hypothesis predicts if multiple lineages have invaded zone, they should consistently diverse than their (equally old) sister groups, when the latter retain primitive way life. Higher-plant feeding among insects independently defined, repeatedly which profound acceleration rate has been attributed. We quantified evidence this comparing and species diversity as many phytophagous insect current taxonomic allows. A sign test showed significant association with adoption phytophagy. possible artifactual bases trend are discussed provisionally rejected. discuss several biological explanations association, including models phylogenesis either dependent on or role.

Language: Английский

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The Role of Transposable Elements in Speciation

Genes, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 9(5), P. 254 - 254

Published: May 15, 2018

Understanding the phenotypic and molecular mechanisms that contribute to genetic diversity between within species is fundamental in studying evolution of species. In particular, identifying interspecific differences lead reduction or even cessation gene flow nascent one main goals speciation research. Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences with ability move genomes. TEs ubiquitous throughout eukaryotic genomes have been shown alter regulatory networks, expression, rearrange as a result their transposition. However, no systematic effort has evaluated role speciation. We compiled evidence for potential causes reproductive isolation across taxa. find often associated hybrid defects might preclude fusion species, but involvement other barriers different from postzygotic still relatively unknown. Finally, we list series guides research avenues disentangle effects on origin new

Language: Английский

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Plant Strategies

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 27, 2023

Abstract Plants have evolved a remarkable array of adaptive solutions to the existential problem survival and reproduction in world where disturbances can be deadly, resources are scarce, competition is cutthroat. inherited phenotypic traits that increased their chance success, these indicators strategies for establishment survival. A plant strategy thought as “how species sustains population” (Westoby, 1998, p. 214) because all successful must positive demographic outcomes habitats which they adapted. This book aims articulate coherent framework studying unifies demography with functional ecology advance prediction ecology. Central this traits: heritable morphological, physiological, phenological attributes plants influence therefore drive fitness differences among species.

Language: Английский

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Continuous traits and speciation rates: Alternatives to state‐dependent diversification models

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 9(4), P. 984 - 993

Published: Dec. 6, 2017

Abstract Many quantitative traits, for example body size, have been hypothesized to influence the diversification dynamics of lineages over macroevolutionary time‐scales. The Quantitative State Speciation‐Extinction (QuaSSE) model and related methods provide an elegant framework jointly modelling relationship between change in continuous traits diversification. However, misspecification phylogenetic pseudoreplication can result elevated false discovery rates this other state‐dependent speciation‐extinction models. Here, we evaluate alternative trait‐dependent that do not formally diversification, but instead test correlations summary statistics branching patterns trait variation at tips a tree (hereafter tip‐rate or TRCs). We compare pattern significance tests, their performance relative QuaSSE under range evolutionary scenarios. found simple statistic derived from branch lengths (inverse equal splits) detect trait‐associated rate variation, simulation‐based method performs better than generalized least squares testing trait‐rate correlations. This ( ES‐sim ) had power TRCs. By approach across diverse set simulation scenarios, is similar statistical power. rarely led inferences even conditions are problematic formal illustrate application real data by re‐assessing dispersal ability Furnariid birds. conclude simple, semi‐parametric tests like represent promising analyses groups with heterogeneous histories useful complement

Language: Английский

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Macroevolutionary Patterns of Flowering Plant Speciation and Extinction

Annual Review of Plant Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 69(1), P. 685 - 706

Published: Feb. 28, 2018

Species diversity is remarkably unevenly distributed among flowering plant lineages. Despite a growing toolbox of research methods, the reasons underlying this patchy pattern have continued to perplex biologists for past two decades. In review, we examine present understanding transitions in evolution that been proposed influence speciation and extinction. particular, ploidy changes, between tropical nontropical biomes, shifts floral form received attention offered some surprises terms which factors extinction rates. Mating systems dispersal characteristics once predominated as determining factors, yet recent evidence suggests these changes are not influential previously thought or important only when paired with range shifts. Although extent an correlate speciation, it also influences brings applied focus diversification research. Recent studies find can predict present-day risk open exciting avenue future help guide conservation prioritization.

Language: Английский

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A Cautionary Note on “A Cautionary Note on the Use of Ornstein Uhlenbeck Models in Macroevolutionary Studies”

Systematic Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 72(4), P. 955 - 963

Published: May 25, 2023

Models based on the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process have become standard for comparative study of adaptation. Cooper et al. (2016) cast doubt this practice by claiming statistical problems with fitting models to data. Specifically, they claim that tests Brownian motion may too high Type I error rates and such are exacerbated measurement error. In note, we argue these results little relevance estimation adaptation three reasons. First, point out did not consider detection distinct optima (e.g. different environments), therefore evaluate test Second, show consideration parameter estimates, just significance, will usually lead correct inferences about evolutionary dynamics. Third, bias due can be corrected methods. We conclude identified any specific models, their cautions against use in analyses unfounded misleading. [adaptation, model, phylogenetic method.].

Language: Английский

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Both Diet and Sociality Affect Primate Brain-Size Evolution

Systematic Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 72(2), P. 404 - 418

Published: Dec. 1, 2022

Increased brain size in humans and other primates is hypothesized to confer cognitive benefits but brings costs associated with growing maintaining energetically expensive neural tissue. Previous studies have argued that changes either diet or levels of sociality led shifts size, results were equivocal. Here we test these hypotheses using phylogenetic comparative methods designed jointly account for estimate the effects adaptation phylogeny. Using largest current sample primate body sizes observation error, complemented by newly compiled data, show both influenced evolution size. Shifting from simple more complex resulted relatively larger brains, while shifting a folivorous smaller brains. While our support role sociality, they modify range ecological centered on importance frugivory, instead indicate digestive increased folivory may [adaptation; allometry; bayou; evolutionary trend; energetic constraints; methods; size; Slouch; social-brain hypothesis.].

Language: Английский

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Global macroevolution and macroecology of passerine song

Evolution, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 72(4), P. 944 - 960

Published: Feb. 14, 2018

Studying the macroevolution of songs Passeriformes (perching birds) has proved challenging. The complexity task stems not just from macroevolutionary and macroecological challenge modeling so many species, but also difficulty in collecting quantifying birdsong itself. Using machine learning techniques, we extracted a large citizen science dataset, then analyzed evolution, biotic abiotic predictors variation across 578 passerine species. Contrary to expectations, found few links between life‐history traits (monogamy sexual dimorphism) evolution song pitch (peak frequency) or (standard deviation frequency). However, significant support for morphological constraints on birdsong, as reflected negative correlation bird size pitch. We that broad‐scale biogeographical climate factors such net primary productivity, temperature, regional species richness were significantly associated with both present‐day distribution features. Our analysis integrates comparative spatial newly developed data cleaning curation tools, suggests evolutionary history, morphology, ecological processes shape diversity these charismatic important birds.

Language: Английский

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Allometric scaling of morphology and engulfment capacity in rorqual whales

Journal of Morphology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 279(9), P. 1256 - 1268

Published: Sept. 1, 2018

Abstract Body length is one of the most important factors that influence organismal function and ecological niche. Although larger animals tend to have a suite physiological advantages, such as lower mass‐specific metabolic rates costs transport, they may also experience significant limitations unsteady locomotor performance or maneuverability because relative scaling control surface areas body mass. Rorqual whales are largest all thus represent unique study system for understanding how at extreme Rorquals characterized by an engulfment‐filtration foraging strategy facilitated complex set morphological adaptations. We studied key structures related locomotion feeding in six rorqual species comparative framework. Our analyses show exhibit positive allometry both surfaces length, but large differences between these parameters suggest rorquals will predictably suffer from decreased performance. However, we found dimensions engulfment apparatus allometry, capacity was relatively greater rorquals. posit allometric growth be adaptation ameliorates detrimental effects size on maneuverability. reveal among reflect evolution behaviors exploitation divergent niches.

Language: Английский

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On the scientific credibility of paleoanthropology

Evolutionary Anthropology Issues News and Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(4)

Published: June 11, 2024

Abstract Smith and Wood proposed that the human fossil record offers special challenges for causal hypotheses because “unique” adaptations resist comparative method. We challenge their notions of “uniqueness” offer a refutation idea there is something epistemologically about prehistoric data. Although paleontological data may be sparse, nothing inherent this information prevents its use in inductive or deductive process, nor generation testing scientific hypotheses. The imprecision well‐understood, such often factored into methods. While we acknowledge some oversteps within discipline, also note history paleoanthropology clearly one progress, with ideas tested resolution added as (fossils) are uncovered new technologies applied, much like sciences diverse astronomy, molecular genetics, geology.

Language: Английский

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