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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Carnivorans of the Philippines: current knowledge and research gaps

Journal of Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 11, 2025

Abstract There are 7 carnivoran species in the Philippines, and despite their ecological conservation importance, there has never been a review of current knowledge research efforts on these country before. Here, we present results comprehensive literature provide summary each Philippines. We searched 2 online databases (Google Scholar, Web Science) found 68 journal articles reports published between January 1990 October 2023. Research Philippine carnivorans increased steadily over past 34 years, with 54% all studies being 10 years. Palawan nearby islands accounted for 66% studies, likely because richness is higher than rest The “Spatial Ecology Habitat Use” category consisted highest number publications, but more half papers simply occurrence records from larger biodiversity studies. human–wildlife interactions practices point to hunting habitat degradation as leading threats However, population community ecology—as well other basic requirements many species—are virtually unknown. Compared similar reviews taxa Philippines countries, our reveals that seem be greatly understudied thus highlighting need species, some which threatened. Owing recent changes taxonomic status Sunda Leopard Cat Palm Civet, recognition mongoose Collared Mongoose, IUCN Red List should re-assessed.

Language: Английский

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The Key Role of Vicariance for Soil Animal Biogeography in a Biodiversity Hotspot Region

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 34(5)

Published: April 27, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim The Indo‐Australian Archipelago is known as a biodiversity hotspot with high levels of endemism typically ascribed to vicariance reflected by the ‘Wallace's line’. However, it unknown how has affected belowground biodiversity, especially process‐based beta diversity. Here, we relate diversity soil oribatid mite (Oribatida, Acari) assemblages geographic distance well climatic and factors explore shaping mites across 11 regions Archipelago. Location Time Period Present. Major Taxa Studied Oribatida, Acari. Methods We compiled list 2549 species in investigated level at species, genus family level. then summarised biogeographical dissimilarity patterns using ordination clustering methods compared zoological boundaries based on aboveground taxa such Wallace's, Lydekker's, Weber's Holt's lines. integrated data geography, climate reveal key drivers compositional among Mantel tests. Results Generally, was high; they formed three groups (west New Guinea, Guinea south Guinea) changing from northwest southeast. reflect integrate lines Weber, Lydekker Holt. Species turnover generally correlated distance, reflecting critical role dispersal‐limited mites. Main Conclusions Our results, for first time, demonstrate contrasting below‐ organisms Archipelago, elucidate distance‐based structured animal this region.

Language: Английский

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Rampant Dispersal Without Gene‐Flow: Reproductively and Geographically Isolated Lineages of the Supertramp Lizard Lamprolepis smaragdina Permeate the Lesser Sunda Archipelago

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 10, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim We investigated the biogeographical patterns of a widespread arboreal lizard found throughout Wallacea and western Pacific islands. contains longstanding oceanic currents that flow from Ocean into Indian Ocean, known as Indonesian Throughflow. Using genetic data, we aim to estimate timing sequence island colonisation in Lesser Sunda archipelago southern Wallacea, determine proportion dispersal events may have been aided by ocean currents. Levels gene are also explored context arrangement, past connectivity (ex. Pleistocene land bridges), Location Southern (Indonesia, Timor‐Leste). Taxon Emerald Tree Skink ( Lamprolepis smaragdina ). Methods estimated mitochondrial DNA phylogeny Wallacean populations identify divergent guide sample selection for genomic‐scale data collection. These genomic were used (1) phylogenetic relationships using both concatenated Maximum Likelihood, summary coalescent multispecies methods, (2) levels between lineages clustering migration analyses, (3) reconstruct their history ancestral range reconstruction analysis. Results Skinks diverged population on Peleng Island ~1.25 Ma ~1 0.4 Ma. MtDNA insufficient each find one be paraphyletic two polyphyletic. Genomic Timor is polyphyletic while all other islands recovered monophyletic. Gene minimal or absent across archipelago, even become periodically bridged. More than half over‐water occurred perpendicular against Main Conclusions Despite this species' abilities genetically isolated another, adjacent This suggests species formation complete. The inferred involved many paths would difficult complete given direction currents, indicating historical more dynamic currently understood.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary history and patterns of divergence in three tropical east Asian squirrels across the Isthmus of Kra

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 50(6), P. 1090 - 1102

Published: March 17, 2023

Abstract Aim Understanding the biotic and abiotic mechanisms underlying generation maintenance of biogeographic transitions represent long‐standing topics in evolutionary biology. The Isthmus Kra (IOK) divides Sundaland Indochina constitutes a poorly characterized terrestrial transition. Here we looked at population genetic structure three species that are distributed across IOK to gain insights into drivers have shaped this transition regional diversification patterns. Location Tropical east Asia: Indochina. Taxa Callosciurus caniceps , Tamiops mcclellandii Dremomys rufigenis‐ornatus complex (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sciuridae). Methods We generated complete mitogenomes sequences 11 nuclear intron fragments from 61 67 museum specimen samples, respectively. assessed by constructing Maximum Likelihood mitogenome phylogenies (IQTREE2), marker haplowebs conspecificity matrices (HaplowebMaker CoMa). estimated divergence dates through Bayesian phylogenetic inference (BEAST2) put these results context climatic geological history. Results High levels mitochondrial were identified all squirrels. Lineage turnover was consistent with two major mammal distribution near Kangar‐Pattani Line juncture between Thai‐Malay peninsula mainland. Divergence lineages late Pliocene/ early Pleistocene for taxa. Older Miocene/Pliocene divergences within D. T. which paraphyletic. Main Conclusions Sundaic Indochinese populations possibly diverged allopatric habitat refugia or around mountains during periods increased aridity evergreen forest contraction. Ecological differences and/or topography might influenced differentiation rainforest expansion. Alternative hypotheses remain be tested more informative markers additional geographic sampling.

Language: Английский

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Birds and barriers: present and past seas are dominant correlates of avian turnover in the Indo-Australian Archipelago

Frontiers of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: April 25, 2023

The Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA) is a geologically dynamic area of high biotic endemism that spans the continental shelves Sunda and Sahul intervening oceanic islands. We provide comprehensive quantitative assessment how bird communities are structured across IAA using beta diversity indices. focus on three key questions. Are islands Wallacea biogeographically cohesive unit or more heterogeneous transition zone? Is rich biota New Guinea East Melanesian most closely linked to Sunda, Wallacea? What geographic environmental correlates structuring region does this compare with determinants plant diversity? measure dissimilarity species composition between eleven major areas within new compilation distribution data calculate taxonomic at species, genera, family levels. To recent analyses plants, we analysed potential turnover, focusing proximity, sea barriers, land area, climatic variation. also used connectivity estimate minimum number connection events needed explain current shared taxa. found recently connected by have lower than Additionally, avifaunas little cohesion, reflecting their complex geological history. Eastern very distinctive. Where birds similar Australia, either Wallacea, depending level. Isolation through space time had strongest influence avifaunal turnover all scales, in contrast plants for which variation was predictor. Further incorporating phylogeny, biome, trait, interaction investigate processes caused fascinating biogeographic region.

Language: Английский

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Small islands and large biogeographic barriers have driven contrasting speciation patterns in Indo-Pacific sunbirds (Aves: Nectariniidae)

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 198(1), P. 72 - 92

Published: Oct. 25, 2022

Abstract Birds of the Indo-Pacific have provided biologists with many foundational insights. This study presents evidence for strong phylogeographic structure in two sunbird species from heart this region, olive-backed sunbird, Cinnyris jugularis, and black Leptocoma aspasia. We assessed population divergence using morphological, plumage, bioacoustic molecular data (mitochondrial ND2/ND3). Our findings indicate that should be recognized as multiple species, because birds Sulawesi Sahul Shelf are closely related to each other, but widely separated those other regions. In addition, we provide an endemic on Wakatobi Islands, archipelago deep-sea islands off south-east Sulawesi. That a small bird could exhibit range all way Australia, while diverging within range, illustrates complex interplay between dispersal speciation. genetic also suggest unrecognized structure, despite relatively weak plumage divergence. Black sunbirds likely separate New Guinea, mean distance 9.1%. Current taxonomy suggests these transcend classic biogeographic barriers, our results barriers not easily bypassed.

Language: Английский

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Early modern human migration into Sulawesi and Island adaptation in Wallacea

World Archaeology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 54(2), P. 229 - 243

Published: March 15, 2022

Maritime migration and island adaptation by anatomically modern humans (AMH) are among the most significant current issues in Southeast Asian archaeology directly related to their behavioural technological advancement. In center of this research hotspot Wallacean islands, situated between Pleistocene landmasses Sunda Sahul. Two major routes have been suggested for initial maritime from via Wallacea into Sahul, a northern route region New Guinea southern leading Australia. Here, we report outcomes new archaeological Central Sulawesi, likely entry location route. Based on our latest findings C14 dates Goa Topogaro 2, discuss evidence timeline early islands insular environments during Late Pleistocene.

Language: Английский

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From earthquakes to island area: multi‐scale effects upon local diversity

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(5)

Published: March 29, 2024

Tropical forests occupy small coral atolls to the vast Amazon basin. They occur across bioregions with different geological and climatic history. Differences in area bioregional history shape species immigration, extinction diversification. How this effects local diversity is unclear. The Indonesian archipelago hosts thousands of tree whose coexistence should depend upon these factors. Using a novel dataset 215 forest plots, fifteen islands ranging from 120 785 000 km 2 , we apply Gaussian mixed models examine simultaneous environment, earthquake proximity, island bioregion for trees ≥ 10 cm diameter at breast height. We find that declines precipitation seasonality increases area. Accounting environment show westernmost Sunda has greater than Wallacea, which turn easternmost Sahul. However, when model includes activity (here proximity major earthquakes), differences are reduced. Overall, results indicate multi‐scale, current historic dictate diversity. These multi‐scale drivers not be ignored studying biodiversity gradients their impacts ecosystem function.

Language: Английский

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Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals Dispersal-Driven Speciation and Divergence with Gene Flow in Lesser Sunda Flying Lizards (Genus Draco)

Systematic Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 71(1), P. 221 - 241

Published: June 7, 2021

The Lesser Sunda Archipelago offers exceptional potential as a model system for studying the dynamics of dispersal-driven diversification. geographic proximity islands suggests possibility successful dispersal, but this is countered by permanence marine barriers and extreme intervening currents that are expected to hinder gene flow. Phylogenetic species delimitation analyses flying lizards (genus Draco) using single mitochondrial genes, complete genomes, exome-capture data sets identified 9-11 deeply divergent lineages including single-island endemics, span multiple islands, parapatrically distributed nonsister on larger islands. Population clustering PCA confirmed these genetic boundaries with isolation-by-distance playing role in some or island sets. While gdi estimates place most candidate comparisons ambiguous zone, migration suggest 9 10 exist nuclear introgression detected across intra-island contact zones. Initial entry Draco into archipelago occurred at 5.5-7.5 Ma, inter-island colonization events having between 1-3 Ma. Biogeographical testing favors scenarios integrating distance historical connectivity, an initial stepping-stone dispersal process from Greater Shelf through Arc far eastward Lembata Island. However, rather than reaching adjacent Pantar dispersing over 15-km wide Alor Strait, ultimately reached (and much rest archipelago) way circuitous route involving least five overwater events. These findings geological oceanographic conditions heavily influenced pathways flow, which turn drove formation shaped boundaries. [Biogeography; genomics, Indonesia; lizards; phylogeography; reptiles].

Language: Английский

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