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Camilleri L, Debono K, Grech F, Bellia AF, Pace G, Lanfranco S. Topographic Complexity Is a Principal Driver of Plant Endemism in Mediterranean Islands. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:546. [PMID: 38498566 PMCID: PMC10892890 DOI: 10.3390/plants13040546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The frequency of endemism in the flora of Mediterranean Islands does not follow a straightforward species-area relationship, and the determinants of endemism are several and complex. The aim of this study was to estimate the explanatory power of a small number of variables on the species richness of vascular plants on selected Mediterranean islands and archipelagos, and on the proportion of narrow endemism in each. We used a novel approach whereby the topographic complexity and isolation of an island were estimated through more detailed methods than those utilised previously. These parameters, along with island area and human population density, were used in a number of regression models with the number of taxa or proportion of endemics as the dependent variables. The results demonstrated that 'topography', a factor that was not specifically included in previous models for Mediterranean islands, exerted a consistent, statistically significant effect on both the number of taxa as well as the proportion of endemic taxa, in all models tested. The 'isolation' factor was not a significant predictor of the number of taxa in any of the models but was a statistically significant predictor of the proportion of endemic taxa in two of the models. The results can be used to make broad predictions about the expected number of taxa and endemics on an island, enabling the categorisation of islands as 'species-poor' or 'species-rich', potentially aiding conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sandro Lanfranco
- Department of Biology, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta; (L.C.); (K.D.); (F.G.); (A.F.B.); (G.P.)
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2
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Ortego J, Kaya S, Çıplak B, Lacey Knowles L. Microgeographic speciation in a complex of Anatolian bush crickets facilitated by fast evolution of reproductive isolation. J Evol Biol 2024; 37:14-27. [PMID: 38285661 DOI: 10.1093/jeb/voad008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Identifying the drivers of microgeographic speciation (i.e., speciation over small, local geographic scales) is key to understand the origin of speciose groups. Here, we use genomic data to infer the demographic processes underlying diversification in Poecilimon luschani (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), a species complex belonging to the most diverse genus of bush crickets from the Mediterranean region (>170 taxa) that comprises three recognized subspecies with small allopatric distributions in the topographically complex Teke Peninsula, southwestern Anatolia. Phylogenomic reconstructions that include all other taxa within the species group confirmed that subspecies of P. luschani originated from a common ancestor during the Pleistocene, supporting recent (<1 Ma) diversification within a small geographical area (ca. 120 × 80 km). Genetic clustering analyses corroborated the distinctiveness of each subspecies and the cohesiveness of their respective populations, with abrupt genetic discontinuities coinciding with contemporary range boundaries. Indeed, our analyses uncovered the presence of two sympatric cryptic sister lineages that diverged <300 ka ago and do not admix despite being co-distributed. Collectively, these results support that all lineages within the complex represent independently evolving entities corresponding to full-fledged species. Statistical evaluation of alternative models of speciation strongly supports a scenario of divergence in isolation followed by a period of limited gene flow during the last glacial period, when all lineages experienced marked expansions according to demographic reconstructions. Our study exemplifies how localized allopatric divergence and fast evolution of reproductive isolation can promote microgeographic speciation and explain the high rates of endemism characterizing biodiversity hotspots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Ortego
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Estación Biológica de Doñana, EBD-CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - Sarp Kaya
- Health Services, Vocational Schools, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Battal Çıplak
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - L Lacey Knowles
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Guardiola M, Sáez L. Are Mediterranean Island Mountains Hotspots of Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Biodiversity? The Case of the Endemic Flora of the Balearic Islands. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2640. [PMID: 37514254 PMCID: PMC10386412 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The Mediterranean islands are exceptionally rich in endemism, most of which is narrowly distributed. Conservation measures, such as protected areas, have been prioritised, mainly on the basis of species richness and endemism, but phylogenetic information should also be taken into account. In this study, we calculated several taxonomic and phylogenetic metrics at a high resolution for the endemic flora of the Balearic Islands (154 taxa), in order to identify (i) the spatial patterns and environmental factors that explain this endemism, (ii) hotspots of species and phylogenetic endemism, and (iii) gaps in the protected areas. The taxonomic and phylogenetic metrics showed different distribution patterns, but the mountainous areas of Mallorca, and some coastal areas of the Balearic Islands, have the highest values. These values were positively related to elevation, precipitation, temperature, and slope, and negatively related to the distance from the coast, aspect, and the temperature of the wettest quarter. We identified top grid hotspots where all the metrics had the highest values, and we also identified nano-hotspots within these hotspots, in some of the highest peaks of Mallorca, where most of these metrics' maximum values coincided. This approach allowed us to identify some gaps in the conservation priority areas, and to highlight the need to review their boundaries and definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisès Guardiola
- Unit of Botany, Department of Animal and Plant Biology and Ecology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, ES-08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Llorenç Sáez
- Systematics and Evolution of Vascular Plants (UAB)-Associated Unit to CSIC by IBB, Unit of Botany, Department of Animal and Plant Biology and Ecology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, ES-08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Societat d'Història Natural de les Balears (SHNB), Margarida Xirgu 16, ES-07003 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Stable Isotope Analysis of Food Web Structure and the Contribution of Carbon Sources in the Sea Adjacent to the Miaodao Archipelago (China). FISHES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fishes7010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The littoral zones around archipelagos are highly productive coastal habitats that serve as biodiversity hotspots and provide valuable ecosystem services that are different from those of the pelagic and profundal zones. The littoral zone has complex basal carbon sources from different primary producers and is an important ocean–land transition area. Macroalgae are the main primary producers of the littoral zone, but their carbon contribution to consumers is rarely studied. Basal carbon sources determine the structure of the food web. In order to determine the contribution of basal carbon sources and the food web structure of the littoral zone, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope techniques and a Bayesian mixing model to study the autumn benthic food web in the sea adjacent to the Miaodao Archipelago. The potential carbon sources of the benthic food web biota in the sea adjacent to the Miaodao Archipelago in autumn are mainly algae (including phytoplankton and macroalgae) and SOM, but the contribution of POM is low. Macroalgae may play a more important role in the littoral zone benthic food webs. Although there are certain uncertainties in the model results, invertebrates and fish have obvious differences in their use of carbon sources. The trophic importance of different primary producers varies with functional feeding groups, and the resource utilization of different functional feeding groups may have certain spatial characteristics.
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Nieto‐Blázquez ME, Quiroga MP, Premoli AC, Roncal J. Podocarpus
in the palaeogeographically complex island of Hispaniola: A stepping‐stone colonization and conservation recommendations. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- María Esther Nieto‐Blázquez
- Department of Biology Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's NL Canada
- Molecular Ecology Group Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - María Paula Quiroga
- Laboratorio Ecotono INIBIOMA‐COCINET Universidad Nacional de Comahue‐CRUB Bariloche Argentina
| | - Andrea C. Premoli
- Laboratorio Ecotono INIBIOMA‐COCINET Universidad Nacional de Comahue‐CRUB Bariloche Argentina
| | - Julissa Roncal
- Department of Biology Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's NL Canada
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Ahmadi M, Hemami MR, Kaboli M, Nazarizadeh M, Malekian M, Behrooz R, Geniez P, Alroy J, Zimmermann NE. The legacy of Eastern Mediterranean mountain uplifts: rapid disparity of phylogenetic niche conservatism and divergence in mountain vipers. BMC Ecol Evol 2021; 21:130. [PMID: 34157982 PMCID: PMC8220690 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01863-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The orogeny of the eastern Mediterranean region has substantially affected ecological speciation patterns, particularly of mountain-dwelling species. Mountain vipers of the genus Montivipera are among the paramount examples of Mediterranean neo-endemism, with restricted ranges in the mountains of Anatolia, the Levant, Caucasus, Alborz, and Zagros. Here we explore the phylogenetic and ecological diversification of Montivipera to reconstruct its ecological niche evolution and biogeographic history. Using 177 sequences of three mitochondrial genes, a dated molecular phylogeny of mountain vipers was reconstructed. Based on 320 occurrence points within the entire range of the genus and six climatic variables, ecological niches were modelled and used to infer ancestral niche occupancy. In addition, the biogeographic history and ancestral states of the species were reconstructed across climate gradients. RESULTS Dated phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that the ancestor of mountain vipers split into two major clades at around 12.18 Mya followed by multiple vicariance events due to rapid orogeny. Montivipera colonised coastal regions from a mountain-dwelling ancestor. We detected a highly complex ecological niche evolution of mountain vipers to temperature seasonality, a variable that also showed a strong phylogenetic signal and high contribution in niche occupation. CONCLUSION Raising mountain belts in the Eastern Mediterranean region and subsequent remarkable changes in temperature seasonality have led to the formation of important centres of diversification and endemism in this biodiversity hotspot. High rates of niche conservatism, low genetic diversity, and segregation of ranges into the endemic distribution negatively influenced the adaptive capacity of mountain vipers. We suggest that these species should be considered as evolutionary significant units and priority species for conservation in Mediterranean mountain ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Ahmadi
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Mahmoud-Reza Hemami
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kaboli
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Masoud Nazarizadeh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS, v.v.i., České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Mansoureh Malekian
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Roozbeh Behrooz
- CEFE, PSL-EPHE (Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés), CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Geniez
- CEFE, PSL-EPHE (Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés), CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - John Alroy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
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Yun SA, Kim SC. Genetic diversity and structure of Saussurea polylepis (Asteraceae) on continental islands of Korea: Implications for conservation strategies and management. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249752. [PMID: 33831066 PMCID: PMC8031399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Saussurea polylepis Nakai is an herbaceous perennial endemic to Korea and is highly restricted to several continental islands in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula. Given its very narrow geographical distribution, it is more vulnerable to anthropogenic activities and global climate changes than more widely distributed species. Despite the need for comprehensive genetic information for conservation and management, no such population genetic studies of S. polylepis have been conducted. In this study, genetic diversity and population structure were evaluated for 97 individuals from 5 populations (Gwanmaedo, Gageodo, Hongdo, Heusando, and Uido) using 19 polymorphic microsatellites. The populations were separated by a distance of 20–90 km. We found moderate levels of genetic diversity in S. polylepis (Ho = 0.42, He = 0.43). This may be due to long lifespans, outcrossing, and gene flow, despite its narrow range. High levels of gene flow (Nm = 1.76, mean Fst = 0.09), especially from wind-dispersed seeds, would contribute to low levels of genetic differentiation among populations. However, the small population size and reduced number of individuals in the reproductive phase of S. polylepis can be a major threat leading to inbreeding depression and genetic diversity loss. Bayesian cluster analysis revealed three significant structures at K = 3, consistent with DAPC and UPGMA. It is thought that sea level rise after the last glacial maximum may have acted as a geographical barrier, limiting the gene flow that would lead to distinct population structures. We proposed the Heuksando population, which is the largest island inhabited by S. polylepis, as a source population because of its large population size and high genetic diversity. Four management units (Gwanmaedo, Gageodo, Hongdo-Heuksando, and Uido) were suggested for conservation considering population size, genetic diversity, population structure, unique alleles, and geographical location (e.g., proximity).
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon A. Yun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Seung-Chul Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
- * E-mail: ,
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Graham RE, Reyes-Betancort JA, Chapman MA, Carine MA. Inter-island differentiation and contrasting patterns of diversity in the iconic Canary Island sub-alpine endemic Echium wildpretii (Boraginaceae). SYST BIODIVERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2021.1877847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E. Graham
- Algae, Fungi and Plants Division, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - J. Alfredo Reyes-Betancort
- Jardín de Aclimatación de La Orotava, Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias (ICIA), C/Retama 2, Puerto de la Cruz, 38400, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Mark A. Chapman
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Mark A. Carine
- Algae, Fungi and Plants Division, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
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Kougioumoutzis K, Kokkoris IP, Panitsa M, Kallimanis A, Strid A, Dimopoulos P. Plant Endemism Centres and Biodiversity Hotspots in Greece. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:72. [PMID: 33498512 PMCID: PMC7909545 DOI: 10.3390/biology10020072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Biodiversity hotspots (BH) cover a small fraction of the Earth's surface, yet host numerous endemics. Human-induced biodiversity loss has been increasing worldwide, despite attempts to halt the extinction crisis. There is thus an urgent need to efficiently allocate the available conservation funds in an optimised conservation prioritization scheme. Identifying BH and endemism centres (EC) is therefore a valuable tool in conservation prioritization and planning. Even though Greece is one of the most plant species-rich European countries, few studies have dealt with the identification of BH or EC and none has ever incorporated phylogenetic information or extended to the national scale. Consequently, we are unaware of the extent that Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) of the Natura 2000 network efficiently protect Greek plant diversity. Here, we located for the first time at a national scale and in a phylogenetic framework, the areas serving as BH and EC, and assessed the effectiveness of the Greek SAC in safeguarding them. BH and EC are mainly located near mountainous areas, and in areas supposedly floristically impoverished, such as the central Aegean islands. A critical re-assessment of the Greek SAC might be needed to minimize the extinction risk of the Greek endemics, by focusing the conservation efforts also on the BH and EC that fall outside the established Greek SAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Kougioumoutzis
- Division of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (I.P.K.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
- Department of Ecology and Systematics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701 Athens, Greece
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Ioannis P. Kokkoris
- Division of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (I.P.K.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
| | - Maria Panitsa
- Division of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (I.P.K.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
| | - Athanasios Kallimanis
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | - Panayotis Dimopoulos
- Division of Plant Biology, Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (I.P.K.); (M.P.); (P.D.)
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Habitat Islands on the Aegean Islands (Greece): Elevational Gradient of Chasmophytic Diversity, Endemism, Phytogeographical Patterns and need for Monitoring and Conservation. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The Aegean archipelago, characterized as a natural laboratory for research concerning plant species diversity and phytogeography has a complex geological and paleogeographical history that varies among its phytogeographical areas. A different combination of factors of variable intensity and duration time drives patterns of its impressive plant species richness and endemism. Cliffs, a conspicuous feature of the Aegean landscape, consist of biologically closed communities that serve as refugia for obligate chasmophytes, the majority of which are Greek or Aegean endemics, and for this reason, they are also considered as habitat islands on the Aegean islands. A synoptic analysis is presented concerning chasmophytic plant diversity focusing on endemic obligate chasmophytes. Phytogeographical patterns of obligate chasmophytes, and especially the endemic ones as well as their elevational range and distribution and zeta diversity, are analyzed and discussed in the frame of climatic change, mentioning that the most threatened endemic obligate chasmophytes are those specialized in high elevation areas, and focusing on the need for monitoring and conservation.
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Diversity Patterns of Different Life Forms of Plants along an Elevational Gradient in Crete, Greece. DIVERSITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11100200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Elevational gradients provide a unique opportunity to explore species responses to changing environmental conditions. Here, we focus on an elevational gradient in Crete, a climate-vulnerable Mediterranean plant biodiversity hotspot and explore the diversity patterns and underlying mechanisms of different plant life forms. We found that the significant differences in life forms’ elevational and environmental ranges are reflected in α- diversity (species richness at local scale), γ-diversity (species richness at regional scale) and β-diversity (variation in species composition). The α- and γ-diversity decreased with elevation, while β-diversity followed a hump-shaped relationship, with the peak varying between life forms. However, β-deviation (deviation from null expectations) varied significantly with elevation but was life formindependent. This suggests that species composition is shaped by the size of the available species pool which depends on life form, but also by other deterministic or stochastic processes that act in a similar way for different life forms. The strength of these processes varies with elevation, with hotter–drier conditions and increased human activities filtering species composition at lowlands and large-scale processes determining the species pool size overriding local ecological processes at higher elevations.
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Sundaram M, Donoghue MJ, Farjon A, Filer D, Mathews S, Jetz W, Leslie AB. Accumulation over evolutionary time as a major cause of biodiversity hotspots in conifers. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191887. [PMID: 31594500 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity hotspots are important for understanding how areas of high species richness form, but disentangling the processes that produce them is difficult. We combine geographical ranges, phylogenetic relationships and trait data for 606 conifer species in order to explore the mechanisms underlying richness hotspot formation. We identify eight richness hotspots that overlap known centres of plant endemism and diversity, and find that conifer richness hotspots occur in mountainous areas within broader regions of long-term climate stability. Conifer hotspots are not unique in their species composition, traits or phylogenetic structure; however, a large percentage of their species are not restricted to hotspots and they rarely show either a preponderance of new radiating lineages or old relictual lineages. We suggest that conifer hotspots have primarily formed as a result of lineages accumulating over evolutionary time scales in stable mountainous areas rather than through high origination, preferential retention of relictual lineages or radiation of species with unique traits, although such processes may contribute to nuanced differences among hotspots. Conifers suggest that a simple accumulation of regional diversity can generate high species richness without additional processes and that geography rather than biology may play a primary role in hotspot formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mekala Sundaram
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Box G-W, 80 Waterman Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Michael J Donoghue
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, P.O. Box 208106, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Aljos Farjon
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK
| | - Denis Filer
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Sarah Mathews
- CSIRO National Research Collections Australia, Australian National Herbarium, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, P.O. Box 208106, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Andrew B Leslie
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Box G-W, 80 Waterman Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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Kidane YO, Steinbauer MJ, Beierkuhnlein C. Dead end for endemic plant species? A biodiversity hotspot under pressure. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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15
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Contrasting effects of invasive rabbits on endemic plants driving vegetation change in a subtropical alpine insular environment. Biol Invasions 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-017-1576-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Irl SDH, Schweiger AH, Medina FM, Fernández-Palacios JM, Harter DEV, Jentsch A, Provenzale A, Steinbauer MJ, Beierkuhnlein C. An island view of endemic rarity-Environmental drivers and consequences for nature conservation. DIVERS DISTRIB 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Severin D. H. Irl
- Biogeography; University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth Germany
- Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER); University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth Germany
| | - Andreas H. Schweiger
- Biogeography; University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth Germany
- Department of Bioscience; Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity; Aarhus University; Aarhus Denmark
| | - Félix M. Medina
- Servicio de Medio Ambiente; Cabildo Insular de La Palma; Santa Cruz de La Palma Canary Islands Spain
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group (IPNA-CSIC); La Laguna Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
| | - José M. Fernández-Palacios
- Department of Ecology; Island Ecology and Biogeography Research Group; Universidad de La Laguna; La Laguna Tenerife Canary Islands Spain
| | | | - Anke Jentsch
- Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER); University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth Germany
- Disturbance Ecology; University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth Germany
| | - Antonello Provenzale
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG); National Research Council (CNR); Pisa Italy
| | - Manuel J. Steinbauer
- Department of Bioscience; Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity; Aarhus University; Aarhus Denmark
| | - Carl Beierkuhnlein
- Biogeography; University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth Germany
- Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER); University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth Germany
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Fois M, Fenu G, Cañadas EM, Bacchetta G. Disentangling the influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the distribution of endemic vascular plants in Sardinia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182539. [PMID: 28767717 PMCID: PMC5540478 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the impelling urgency of plant conservation and the increasing availability of high resolution spatially interpolated (e.g. climate variables) and categorical data (e.g. land cover and vegetation type), many recent studies have examined relationships among plant species distributions and a diversified set of explanatory factors; nevertheless, global and regional patterns of endemic plant richness remain in many cases unexplained. One such pattern is the 294 endemic vascular plant taxa recorded on a 1 km resolution grid on the environmentally heterogeneous island of Sardinia. Sixteen predictors, including topographic, geological, climatic and anthropogenic factors, were used to model local (number of taxa inside each 1 km grid cell) Endemic Vascular Plant Richness (EVPR). Generalized Linear Models were used to evaluate how each factor affected the distribution of local EVPR. Significant relationships with local EVPR and topographic, geological, climatic and anthropogenic factors were found. In particular, elevation explained the larger fraction of variation in endemic richness but other environmental factors (e.g. precipitation seasonality and slope) and human-related factors (e.g. the Human Influence Index (HII) and the proportion of anthropogenic land uses) were, respectively, positively and negatively correlated with local EVPR. Regional EVPR (number of endemic taxa inside each 100 m elevation interval) was also measured to compare local and regional EVPR patterns along the elevation gradient. In contrast to local, regional EVPR tended to decrease with altitude partly due to the decreasing area covered along altitude. The contrasting results between local and regional patterns suggest that local richness increases as a result of increased interspecific aggregation along altitude, whereas regional richness may depend on the interaction between area and altitude. This suggests that the shape and magnitude of the species-area relationship might vary with elevation. This work provides-for the first time in Sardinia-a comprehensive analysis of the influence of environmental factors on the pattern of EVPR in the entire territory, from sea level to the highest peaks. Elevation, as well as other environmental and human-related variables, were confirmed to be influencing factors. In addition, variations of EVPR patterns at regional-to-local spatial scales inspire next investigations on the possible interaction between elevation and area in explaining patterns of plant species richness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Fois
- Centro Conservazione Biodiversità (CCB), Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italia
| | - Giuseppe Fenu
- Centro Conservazione Biodiversità (CCB), Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italia
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, ‘Sapienza’ Università di Roma, Roma, Italia
- * E-mail:
| | - Eva Maria Cañadas
- Departamento de Botánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Gianluigi Bacchetta
- Centro Conservazione Biodiversità (CCB), Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italia
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Steinbauer MJ, Irl SDH, González-Mancebo JM, Breiner FT, Hernández-Hernández R, Hopfenmüller S, Kidane Y, Jentsch A, Beierkuhnlein C. Plant invasion and speciation along elevational gradients on the oceanic island La Palma, Canary Islands. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:771-779. [PMID: 28116071 PMCID: PMC5243188 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecosystems that provide environmental opportunities but are poor in species and functional richness generally support speciation as well as invasion processes. These processes are expected not to be equally effective along elevational gradients due to specific ecological, spatial, and anthropogenic filters, thus controlling the dispersal and establishment of species. Here, we investigate speciation and invasion processes along elevational gradients. We assess the vascular plant species richness as well as the number and percentage of endemic species and non-native species systematically along three elevational gradients covering large parts of the climatic range of La Palma, Canary Islands. Species richness was negatively correlated with elevation, while the percentage of Canary endemic species showed a positive relationship. However, the percentage of Canary-Madeira endemics did not show a relationship with elevation. Non-native species richness (indicating invasion) peaked at 500 m elevation and showed a consistent decline until about 1,200 m elevation. Above that limit, no non-native species were present in the studied elevational gradients. Ecological, anthropogenic, and spatial filters control richness, diversification, and invasion with elevation. With increase in elevation, richness decreases due to species-area relationships. Ecological limitations of native ruderal species related to anthropogenic pressure are in line with the absence of non-native species from high elevations indicating directional ecological filtering. Increase in ecological isolation with elevation drives diversification and thus increased percentages of Canary endemics. The best preserved eastern transect, including mature laurel forests, is an exception. The high percentage of Canary-Madeira endemics indicates the cloud forest's environmental uniqueness-and thus ecological isolation-beyond the Macaronesian islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel J Steinbauer
- Department of Biogeography Bay CEER University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany; Section Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Severin D H Irl
- Department of Biogeography BayCEER University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany
| | - Juana María González-Mancebo
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal Universidad de La Laguna San Cristóbal de La Laguna Tenerife Spain
| | - Frank T Breiner
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Birmensdorf Switzerland; Department of Ecology and Evolution University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Raquel Hernández-Hernández
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal Universidad de La Laguna San Cristóbal de La Laguna Tenerife Spain
| | - Sebastian Hopfenmüller
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Yohannes Kidane
- Department of Biogeography BayCEER University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany
| | - Anke Jentsch
- Department of Disturbance Ecology Bay CEER University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany
| | - Carl Beierkuhnlein
- Department of Biogeography BayCEER University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany
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Ma Z, Sandel B, Svenning JC. Phylogenetic assemblage structure of North American trees is more strongly shaped by glacial-interglacial climate variability in gymnosperms than in angiosperms. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:3092-106. [PMID: 27252830 PMCID: PMC4870196 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
How fast does biodiversity respond to climate change? The relationship of past and current climate with phylogenetic assemblage structure helps us to understand this question. Studies of angiosperm tree diversity in North America have already suggested effects of current water–energy balance and tropical niche conservatism. However, the role of glacial–interglacial climate variability remains to be determined, and little is known about any of these relationships for gymnosperms. Moreover, phylogenetic endemism, the concentration of unique lineages in restricted ranges, may also be related to glacial–interglacial climate variability and needs more attention. We used a refined phylogeny of both angiosperms and gymnosperms to map phylogenetic diversity, clustering and endemism of North American trees in 100‐km grid cells, and climate change velocity since Last Glacial Maximum together with postglacial accessibility to recolonization to quantify glacial–interglacial climate variability. We found: (1) Current climate is the dominant factor explaining the overall patterns, with more clustered angiosperm assemblages toward lower temperature, consistent with tropical niche conservatism. (2) Long‐term climate stability is associated with higher angiosperm endemism, while higher postglacial accessibility is linked to to more phylogenetic clustering and endemism in gymnosperms. (3) Factors linked to glacial–interglacial climate change have stronger effects on gymnosperms than on angiosperms. These results suggest that paleoclimate legacies supplement current climate in shaping phylogenetic patterns in North American trees, and especially so for gymnosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Ma
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Ny Munkegade 114 DK-8000 Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Brody Sandel
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Ny Munkegade 114 DK-8000 Aarhus C Denmark
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Ny Munkegade 114 DK-8000 Aarhus C Denmark
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20
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Weigelt P, Steinbauer MJ, Cabral JS, Kreft H. Late Quaternary climate change shapes island biodiversity. Nature 2016; 532:99-102. [DOI: 10.1038/nature17443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Iliadou E, Kallimanis AS, Dimopoulos P, Panitsa M. Comparing the two Greek archipelagos plant species diversity and endemism patterns highlight the importance of isolation and precipitation as biodiversity drivers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:16. [PMID: 25984499 PMCID: PMC4389644 DOI: 10.1186/2241-5793-21-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Background Greece has two island archipelagos, the Aegean and the Ionian, which host a rich array of plants and wildlife, particularly endemic and threatened plant species. Despite the long history of island biogeographic studies in the Aegean, similar studies in the Ionian remain limited, with the two island archipelagos rarely being compared. Results The Aegean and Ionian archipelagos share many features, especially regarding total plant diversity, but exhibit different patterns of endemism. For instance, when considering similarly sized islands, those in the Ionian host as many as, if not more, species compared to the Aegean. In contrast, the Ionian Islands are poor in endemics (particularly narrow range endemics, such as single island or regional endemics) and threatened taxa, compared to the Aegean Islands. In the Ionian, endemics only persist on the largest islands, and form a very small proportion of the species pool, compared to the Aegean archipelago. Conclusions The lack of endemism might be attributed to the more recent separation of the Ionian Islands from the mainland and the shorter distance separating them from the mainland. In addition, the Ionian Islands receive higher levels of precipitation and are typically covered by denser and higher vegetation than the Aegean Islands. These conditions favour greater total species richness, but tend to lead to higher numbers of common species compared to threatened and endemic taxa. This study demonstrates that both isolation and precipitation serve as biodiversity drivers, influencing plant species diversity and endemism patterns, of the two Greek archipelagos. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2241-5793-21-16) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Iliadou
- Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Ioannina, Agrinio, GR-30100 Greece ; Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, Agrinio, GR-30100 Greece
| | - Athanasios S Kallimanis
- Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Ioannina, Agrinio, GR-30100 Greece ; Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, Agrinio, GR-30100 Greece
| | - Panayotis Dimopoulos
- Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Ioannina, Agrinio, GR-30100 Greece ; Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, Agrinio, GR-30100 Greece
| | - Maria Panitsa
- Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Ioannina, Agrinio, GR-30100 Greece ; Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, Agrinio, GR-30100 Greece
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22
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Gray A, Cavers S. Island biogeography, the effects of taxonomic effort and the importance of island niche diversity to single-island endemic species. Syst Biol 2013; 63:55-65. [PMID: 23985784 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syt060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Island biogeography theory is fundamentally reliant on measuring the number of species per island and hence has taxonomy at its foundation. Yet as a metric used in tests of the theory, island species richness (S) has varied with time according to the level of taxonomic effort (a function of the rate of finding and describing species). Studies using a derivative of S, single-island endemic species richness (SIE S), may be prone to change in taxonomic effort. Decreases or increases in species numbers resulting from taxonomic revision or increased sampling are likely to have a large effect on values of SIE S, as they tend to be smaller than total S for the same island. Using simple biogeography models, we analysed estimates of SIE S in plants, land snails, beetles, and fungi from comprehensive data sets for eight island groups, produced species accumulation curves and applied Bayesian regression over five time periods. Explanatory power differed across taxa, but area and island age were not always the best explanatory variables, and niche diversity appeared to be important. Changing levels of SIE S over time had different effects on models with different taxa and between island archipelagos. The results indicated that the taxonomic effort that determines SIE S is important. However, as this cannot often be quantified, we suggest Bayesian approaches should be more useful than frequentist methods in evaluating SIE S in island biogeography theory. Fundamentally, the article highlights the importance of taxonomy to theoretical biogeography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Gray
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, UK
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Trigas P, Panitsa M, Tsiftsis S. Elevational gradient of vascular plant species richness and endemism in Crete--the effect of post-isolation mountain uplift on a continental island system. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59425. [PMID: 23555031 PMCID: PMC3595250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding diversity patterns along environmental gradients and their underlying mechanisms is a major topic in current biodiversity research. In this study, we investigate for the first time elevational patterns of vascular plant species richness and endemism on a long-isolated continental island (Crete) that has experienced extensive post-isolation mountain uplift. We used all available data on distribution and elevational ranges of the Cretan plants to interpolate their presence between minimum and maximum elevations in 100-m elevational intervals, along the entire elevational gradient of Crete (0-2400 m). We evaluate the influence of elevation, area, mid-domain effect, elevational Rapoport effect and the post-isolation mountain uplift on plant species richness and endemism elevational patterns. Furthermore, we test the influence of the island condition and the post-isolation mountain uplift to the elevational range sizes of the Cretan plants, using the Peloponnese as a continental control area. Total species richness monotonically decreases with increasing elevation, while endemic species richness has a unimodal response to elevation showing a peak at mid-elevation intervals. Area alone explains a significant amount of variation in species richness along the elevational gradient. Mid-domain effect is not the underlying mechanism of the elevational gradient of plant species richness in Crete, and Rapoport's rule only partly explains the observed patterns. Our results are largely congruent with the post-isolation uplift of the Cretan mountains and their colonization mainly by the available lowland vascular plant species, as high-elevation specialists are almost lacking from the Cretan flora. The increase in the proportion of Cretan endemics with increasing elevation can only be regarded as a result of diversification processes towards Cretan mountains (especially mid-elevation areas), supported by elevation-driven ecological isolation. Cretan plants have experienced elevational range expansion compared to the continental control area, as a result of ecological release triggered by increased species impoverishment with increasing elevation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panayiotis Trigas
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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