A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
What causes latitudinal gradients in species diversity? Evolutionary processes and ecological constraints on swallowtail biodiversity
Authors: Condamine FL, Sperling FAH, Wahlberg N, Rasplus JY, Kergoat GJ
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Publication year: 2012
Journal: Ecology Letters
Journal name in source: ECOLOGY LETTERS
Journal acronym: ECOL LETT
Number in series: 3
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
First page : 267
Last page: 277
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 1461-023X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01737.x(external)
Web address : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01737.x(external)
Abstract
The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most striking ecological patterns on our planet. Determining the evolutionary causes of this pattern remains a challenging task. To address this issue, previous LDG studies have usually relied on correlations between environmental variables and species richness, only considering evolutionary processes indirectly. Instead, we use a phylogenetically integrated approach to investigate the ecological and evolutionary processes responsible for the global LDG observed in swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae). We find evidence for the diversification rate hypothesis with different diversification rates between two similarly aged tropical and temperate clades. We conclude that the LDG is caused by (1) climatically driven changes in both clades based on evidence of responses to cooling and warming events, and (2) distinct biogeographical histories constrained by tropical niche conservatism and niche evolution. This multidisciplinary approach provides new findings that allow better understanding of the factors that shape LDGs.
The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most striking ecological patterns on our planet. Determining the evolutionary causes of this pattern remains a challenging task. To address this issue, previous LDG studies have usually relied on correlations between environmental variables and species richness, only considering evolutionary processes indirectly. Instead, we use a phylogenetically integrated approach to investigate the ecological and evolutionary processes responsible for the global LDG observed in swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae). We find evidence for the diversification rate hypothesis with different diversification rates between two similarly aged tropical and temperate clades. We conclude that the LDG is caused by (1) climatically driven changes in both clades based on evidence of responses to cooling and warming events, and (2) distinct biogeographical histories constrained by tropical niche conservatism and niche evolution. This multidisciplinary approach provides new findings that allow better understanding of the factors that shape LDGs.
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