1
|
Main DC, van Vuuren BJ, Tilbury CR, Tolley KA. Out of southern Africa: Origins and cryptic speciation in Chamaeleo, the most widespread chameleon genus. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2022; 175:107578. [PMID: 35809854 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Molecular phylogenetics and the application of species delimitation methods have proven useful in addressing limitations associated with morphology based taxonomy and have highlighted the inconsistencies in the current taxonomy for many groups. For example, the genus Chamaeleo, which comprises 14 species with large distributions across mainland Africa and parts of Eurasia, exhibits relatively minor phenotypic differentiation between species, leading to speculation regarding the presence of cryptic diversity in the genus. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to construct a robust and comprehensive phylogeny of the genus and highlight potential species-level cryptic diversity. Additionally, we sought to ascertain the most likely biogeographic origin of the genus and understand its spatio-temporal diversification. Accordingly, we made use of species delimitation methods (Bayesian and divergence based) to investigate the extent of cryptic diversity in Chamaeleo, and applied an ancestral area reconstruction to examine the biogeographic origin of the group. Our phylogenetic analyses suggested the presence of at least 18 taxa within Chamaeleo. Notably, three taxa could be recognised within C. dilepis, none of which are equivalent in context with any of the currently described subspecies. There were also three taxa within C. gracilis and two within C. anchietae. The single available tissue specimen identified as C. necasi was embedded within the C. gracilis clade. Our ancestral area reconstruction points to a southern African/Zambezian origin for Chamaeleo, with diversification beginning during the cooling and aridification of Africa that characterised the Oligocene Epoch, ca. 34-23 Mya (Million years ago). Species-level diversification began in the Miocene Epoch (ca. 23-5 Mya), possibly tracking the aridification that triggered the shift from forest to more open, mesic savanna for most clades, but with tectonic events influencing speciation in a Palearctic clade. These findings lay the foundation for a future integrative taxonomic re-evaluation of Chamaeleo, which will be supported with additional lines of evidence before implementing any taxonomic changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devon C Main
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Colin R Tilbury
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Krystal A Tolley
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa; South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7 Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Goldberg SR, Bursey CR, Mali FM, Kusamba C, Robbins AJ, Greenbaum E. Gastrointestinal Helminths in Amietia sp. (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) from the Albertine Rift of Central Africa. Helminthologia 2021; 58:328-332. [PMID: 34934395 PMCID: PMC8647955 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fourteen Amietia sp. (Pyxicephalidae), from the Albertine Rift of Democratic Republic of the Congo were examined for helminths. Five species of Nematoda were found: Amphibiophilus chabaudi, Aplectana praeputialis, Falcaustra congoensis, Foleyellides duboisi and Orneoascaris chrysanthemoides. Amphibiophilus chabaudi was the most numerous nematode (n = 40) with the highest prevalence (57 %). Five new host records are reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S R Goldberg
- Department of Biology, Whittier College, Whittier, California 90608. U.S.A
| | - C R Bursey
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, Shenango Campus, Sharon, Pennsylvania 16146, U.S.A
| | - F M Mali
- Department of Ecology and Biodiversity of Earth Resources, Centre de Surveillance de la Biodiversité de l' Université de Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - C Kusamba
- Laboratoire d'Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - A J Robbins
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, UTEP Biodiversity Collections, El Paso, Texas 79968, U.S.A
| | - E Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, UTEP Biodiversity Collections, El Paso, Texas 79968, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Allen KE, Greenbaum E, Hime PM, Tapondjou N. WP, Sterkhova VV, Kusamba C, Rödel M, Penner J, Peterson AT, Brown RM. Rivers, not refugia, drove diversification in arboreal, sub-Saharan African snakes. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:6133-6152. [PMID: 34141208 PMCID: PMC8207163 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative roles of rivers versus refugia in shaping the high levels of species diversity in tropical rainforests have been widely debated for decades. Only recently has it become possible to take an integrative approach to test predictions derived from these hypotheses using genomic sequencing and paleo-species distribution modeling. Herein, we tested the predictions of the classic river, refuge, and river-refuge hypotheses on diversification in the arboreal sub-Saharan African snake genus Toxicodryas. We used dated phylogeographic inferences, population clustering analyses, demographic model selection, and paleo-distribution modeling to conduct a phylogenomic and historical demographic analysis of this genus. Our results revealed significant population genetic structure within both Toxicodryas species, corresponding geographically to river barriers and divergence times from the mid-Miocene to Pliocene. Our demographic analyses supported the interpretation that rivers are indications of strong barriers to gene flow among populations since their divergence. Additionally, we found no support for a major contraction of suitable habitat during the last glacial maximum, allowing us to reject both the refuge and river-refuge hypotheses in favor of the river-barrier hypothesis. Based on conservative interpretations of our species delimitation analyses with the Sanger and ddRAD data sets, two new cryptic species are identified from east-central Africa. This study highlights the complexity of diversification dynamics in the African tropics and the advantages of integrative approaches to studying speciation in tropical regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin E. Allen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Texas at El PasoEl PasoTXUSA
| | - Paul M. Hime
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
| | - Walter P. Tapondjou N.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
| | - Viktoria V. Sterkhova
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Laboratoire d’Hérpétologie, Département de BiologieCentre de Recherche en Sciences NaturellesLwiroDemocratic Republic of Congo
| | - Mark‐Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity ScienceBerlinGermany
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity ScienceBerlinGermany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and ManagementUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - A. Townsend Peterson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
| | - Rafe M. Brown
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
- Biodiversity InstituteUniversity of KansasLawrenceKSUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Couvreur TL, Dauby G, Blach‐Overgaard A, Deblauwe V, Dessein S, Droissart V, Hardy OJ, Harris DJ, Janssens SB, Ley AC, Mackinder BA, Sonké B, Sosef MS, Stévart T, Svenning J, Wieringa JJ, Faye A, Missoup AD, Tolley KA, Nicolas V, Ntie S, Fluteau F, Robin C, Guillocheau F, Barboni D, Sepulchre P. Tectonics, climate and the diversification of the tropical African terrestrial flora and fauna. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:16-51. [PMID: 32924323 PMCID: PMC7821006 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tropical Africa is home to an astonishing biodiversity occurring in a variety of ecosystems. Past climatic change and geological events have impacted the evolution and diversification of this biodiversity. During the last two decades, around 90 dated molecular phylogenies of different clades across animals and plants have been published leading to an increased understanding of the diversification and speciation processes generating tropical African biodiversity. In parallel, extended geological and palaeoclimatic records together with detailed numerical simulations have refined our understanding of past geological and climatic changes in Africa. To date, these important advances have not been reviewed within a common framework. Here, we critically review and synthesize African climate, tectonics and terrestrial biodiversity evolution throughout the Cenozoic to the mid-Pleistocene, drawing on recent advances in Earth and life sciences. We first review six major geo-climatic periods defining tropical African biodiversity diversification by synthesizing 89 dated molecular phylogeny studies. Two major geo-climatic factors impacting the diversification of the sub-Saharan biota are highlighted. First, Africa underwent numerous climatic fluctuations at ancient and more recent timescales, with tectonic, greenhouse gas, and orbital forcing stimulating diversification. Second, increased aridification since the Late Eocene led to important extinction events, but also provided unique diversification opportunities shaping the current tropical African biodiversity landscape. We then review diversification studies of tropical terrestrial animal and plant clades and discuss three major models of speciation: (i) geographic speciation via vicariance (allopatry); (ii) ecological speciation impacted by climate and geological changes, and (iii) genomic speciation via genome duplication. Geographic speciation has been the most widely documented to date and is a common speciation model across tropical Africa. We conclude with four important challenges faced by tropical African biodiversity research: (i) to increase knowledge by gathering basic and fundamental biodiversity information; (ii) to improve modelling of African geophysical evolution throughout the Cenozoic via better constraints and downscaling approaches; (iii) to increase the precision of phylogenetic reconstruction and molecular dating of tropical African clades by using next generation sequencing approaches together with better fossil calibrations; (iv) finally, as done here, to integrate data better from Earth and life sciences by focusing on the interdisciplinary study of the evolution of tropical African biodiversity in a wider geodiversity context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilles Dauby
- AMAP Lab, IRD, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire d'évolution Biologique et Ecologie, Faculté des SciencesUniversité Libre de BruxellesCP160/12, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50Brussels1050Belgium
| | - Anne Blach‐Overgaard
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityNy Munkegade 114Aarhus CDK‐8000Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityNy Munkegade 114Aarhus CDK‐8000Denmark
| | - Vincent Deblauwe
- Center for Tropical Research (CTR), Institute of the Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)Los AngelesCA90095U.S.A.
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)YaoundéCameroon
| | | | - Vincent Droissart
- AMAP Lab, IRD, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- Laboratoire de Botanique Systématique et d'Écologie, École Normale SupérieureUniversité de Yaoundé IPO Box 047YaoundéCameroon
- Herbarium et Bibliothèque de Botanique AfricaineUniversité Libre de BruxellesBoulevard du TriompheBrusselsB‐1050Belgium
- Africa & Madagascar DepartmentMissouri Botanical GardenSt. LouisMOU.S.A.
| | - Oliver J. Hardy
- Laboratoire d'évolution Biologique et Ecologie, Faculté des SciencesUniversité Libre de BruxellesCP160/12, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50Brussels1050Belgium
| | - David J. Harris
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh20A Inverleith RowEdinburghU.K.
| | | | - Alexandra C. Ley
- Institut für Geobotanik und Botanischer GartenUniversity Halle‐WittenbergNeuwerk 21Halle06108Germany
| | | | - Bonaventure Sonké
- Laboratoire de Botanique Systématique et d'Écologie, École Normale SupérieureUniversité de Yaoundé IPO Box 047YaoundéCameroon
| | | | - Tariq Stévart
- Herbarium et Bibliothèque de Botanique AfricaineUniversité Libre de BruxellesBoulevard du TriompheBrusselsB‐1050Belgium
- Africa & Madagascar DepartmentMissouri Botanical GardenSt. LouisMOU.S.A.
| | - Jens‐Christian Svenning
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityNy Munkegade 114Aarhus CDK‐8000Denmark
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of BiologyAarhus UniversityNy Munkegade 114Aarhus CDK‐8000Denmark
| | - Jan J. Wieringa
- Naturalis Biodiversity CenterDarwinweg 2Leiden2333 CRThe Netherlands
| | - Adama Faye
- Laboratoire National de Recherches sur les Productions Végétales (LNRPV)Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA)Route des Hydrocarbures, Bel Air BP 1386‐ CP18524DakarSenegal
| | - Alain D. Missoup
- Zoology Unit, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Animal Organisms, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of DoualaPO Box 24157DoualaCameroon
| | - Krystal A. Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity InstituteKirstenbosch Research CentrePrivate Bag X7, ClaremontCape Town7735South Africa
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandPrivate Bag 3Wits2050South Africa
| | - Violaine Nicolas
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHEUniversité des AntillesCP51, 57 rue CuvierParis75005France
| | - Stéphan Ntie
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des SciencesUniversité des Sciences et Techniques de MasukuFrancevilleBP 941Gabon
| | - Frédiéric Fluteau
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRSUniversité de ParisParisF‐75005France
| | - Cécile Robin
- CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR6118University of RennesRennes35042France
| | | | - Doris Barboni
- CEREGE, Aix‐Marseille University, CNRS, IRD, Collège de France, INRA, Technopole Arbois MéditerranéeBP80Aix‐en‐Provence cedex413545France
| | - Pierre Sepulchre
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, LSCE/IPSL, CEA‐CNRS‐UVSQUniversité Paris‐SaclayGif‐sur‐YvetteF‐91191France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kushata JNT, Conradie W, Cherry MI, Daniels SR. Comparison of the mitochondrial phylogeographical structure of a generalist and two specialist frog species reveals contrasting patterns in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn this study, we examined the phylogeographical structure of three frog species (Anhydrophryne rattrayi, Arthroleptis wageri and Cacosternum nanum) in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The first two species are forest dwelling and exhibit direct development, whereas the last species is a habitat generalist, breeding in open freshwater bodies and exhibiting rapid metamorphosis. Evolutionary relationships were inferred using combined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data [16S rRNA and cytochrome b (Cytb)]. Divergence times were estimated for each species using the combined mtDNA dataset, and population genetic structuring was inferred using haplotype networks and analysis of molecular variance using the rapidly evolving Cytb locus. The two forest-dwelling species (Anhydrophryne rattrayi and Arthroleptis wageri) each revealed two statistically well-supported clades and were characterized by marked genetic differentiation and the general absence of shared maternal haplotypes, indicating no maternal gene flow between conspecific populations; a result corroborated by moderate values of pairwise genetic distance. In contrast, for the generalist species C. nanum, two shallow clades were observed and several haplotypes were shared between localities, indicating moderate maternal gene flow. Diversification in the two forest-dwelling species occurred during the Plio-Pleistocene climatic oscillations and was associated with increased xeric conditions, whereas in C. nanum a recent, Holocene divergence was inferred. Ancient climatic factors thought to be causal in the divergences within each of the three species are discussed. The marked mtDNA differentiation in the two forest specialist species suggests the presence of distinct management units that should be considered in future conservation management decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith N T Kushata
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth (Bayworld) Museum, Humewood, South Africa
- School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Michael I Cherry
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Savel R Daniels
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Portillo F, Stanley EL, Branch WR, Conradie W, Rödel MO, Penner J, Barej MF, Kusamba C, Muninga WM, Aristote MM, Bauer AM, Trape JF, Nagy ZT, Carlino P, Pauwels OSG, Menegon M, Ineich I, Burger M, Zassi-Boulou AG, Mazuch T, Jackson K, Hughes DF, Behangana M, Greenbaum E. Evolutionary history of burrowing asps (Lamprophiidae: Atractaspidinae) with emphasis on fang evolution and prey selection. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214889. [PMID: 30995262 PMCID: PMC6469773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Atractaspidines are poorly studied, fossorial snakes that are found throughout Africa and western Asia, including the Middle East. We employed concatenated gene-tree analyses and divergence dating approaches to investigate evolutionary relationships and biogeographic patterns of atractaspidines with a multi-locus data set consisting of three mitochondrial (16S, cyt b, and ND4) and two nuclear genes (c-mos and RAG1). We sampled 91 individuals from both atractaspidine genera (Atractaspis and Homoroselaps). Additionally, we used ancestral-state reconstructions to investigate fang and diet evolution within Atractaspidinae and its sister lineage (Aparallactinae). Our results indicated that current classification of atractaspidines underestimates diversity within the group. Diversification occurred predominantly between the Miocene and Pliocene. Ancestral-state reconstructions suggest that snake dentition in these taxa might be highly plastic within relatively short periods of time to facilitate adaptations to dynamic foraging and life-history strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Portillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Edward L. Stanley
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - William R. Branch
- Port Elizabeth Museum, Humewood, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Werner Conradie
- Port Elizabeth Museum, Humewood, South Africa
- School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | - Mark-Oliver Rödel
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Penner
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael F. Barej
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Laboratoire d’Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Wandege M. Muninga
- Laboratoire d’Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Mwenebatu M. Aristote
- Institut Supérieur d'Écologie pour la Conservation de la Nature, Katana Campus, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Aaron M. Bauer
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jean-François Trape
- Laboratoire de Paludologie et Zoologie Médicale, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Piero Carlino
- Museo di Storia naturale del Salento, Calimera, Italy
| | - Olivier S. G. Pauwels
- Département des Vertébrés Récents, Institut Royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michele Menegon
- Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology, School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Ineich
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, Département Systématique et Evolution (Reptiles), ISyEB (Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité), Paris, France
| | - Marius Burger
- African Amphibian Conservation Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Flora Fauna & Man, Ecological Services Ltd. Tortola, British Virgin Islands
| | | | | | - Kate Jackson
- Department of Biology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, United States of America
| | - Daniel F. Hughes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mathias Behangana
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rebelo AD, Measey J. Locomotor performance constrained by morphology and habitat in a diverse clade of African frogs (Anura: Pyxicephalidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Rebelo
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - John Measey
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Portillo F, Branch WR, Tilbury CR, Nagy ZT, Hughes DF, Kusamba C, Muninga WM, Aristote MM, Behangana M, Greenbaum E. A Cryptic New Species of Polemon (Squamata: Lamprophiidae, Aparallactinae) from the Miombo Woodlands of Central and East Africa. COPEIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1643/ch-18-098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Portillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968; (EG) . Send reprint requests to EG
| | - William R. Branch
- Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 11347, Humewood 6013, South Africa; and Department of Zoology, P.O. Box 77000, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa. Deceased
| | - Colin R. Tilbury
- Department of Botany & Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa
| | | | - Daniel F. Hughes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968; (EG) . Send reprint requests to EG
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Laboratoire d'Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Wandege M. Muninga
- Laboratoire d'Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Mwenebatu M. Aristote
- Institut Supérieur d'Écologie pour la Conservation de la Nature, Katana Campus, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Mathias Behangana
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7298, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, Texas 79968; (EG) . Send reprint requests to EG
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Greenbaum E, Beer SD, Hughes DF, Wagner P, Anderson CG, Villanueva CO, Malonza PK, Kusamba C, Muninga WM, Aristote MM, Branch WR. Phylogeography of Jackson's Forest Lizard Adolfus jacksoni (Sauria: Lacertidae) Reveals Cryptic Diversity in the Highlands of East Africa. HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 2018. [DOI: 10.1655/herpmonographs-d-18-00005.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Stephanie Dowell Beer
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Fishery Center, PO Box 75, 308 Washington Avenue, Lamar, PA 16848, USA
| | - Daniel F. Hughes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Philipp Wagner
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
| | - Christopher G. Anderson
- Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Cesar O. Villanueva
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Patrick K. Malonza
- Herpetology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Museum Hill Road, PO Box 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Laboratoire d'Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Wandege M. Muninga
- Laboratoire d'Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Mwenebatu M. Aristote
- Institut Supérieur d'Écologie pour la Conservation de la Nature, Katana Campus, Sud Kivu, République Démocratique du Congo
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Portillo F, Branch WR, Conradie W, Rödel MO, Penner J, Barej MF, Kusamba C, Muninga WM, Aristote MM, Bauer AM, Trape JF, Nagy ZT, Carlino P, Pauwels OS, Menegon M, Burger M, Mazuch T, Jackson K, Hughes DF, Behangana M, Zassi-Boulou AG, Greenbaum E. Phylogeny and biogeography of the African burrowing snake subfamily Aparallactinae (Squamata: Lamprophiidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2018; 127:288-303. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
11
|
Bursey CR, Goldberg SR, Kusamba C, Greenbaum E. New Species of Falcaustra (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) and Other Helminths in Amietia nutti (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) from the Democratic Republic of Congo. COMP PARASITOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1654/1525-2647-85.2.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles R. Bursey
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, Shenango Campus, Sharon, Pennsylvania 16146, U.S.A. (e-mail: )
| | - Stephen R. Goldberg
- Department of Biology, Whittier College, Whittier, California 90608, U.S.A. (e-mail )
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Laboratoire d'Herpétologie, Départment de Bíologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles Lwiro, Democratic Republic of Congo (e-mail: )
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968, U.S.A. (e-mail: )
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hughes DF, Tolley KA, Behangana M, Lukwago W, Menegon M, Dehling JM, Stipala J, Tilbury CR, Khan AM, Kusamba C, Greenbaum E. Cryptic diversity in Rhampholeon boulengeri (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), a pygmy chameleon from the Albertine Rift biodiversity hotspot. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2018; 122:125-141. [PMID: 29199108 PMCID: PMC6010225 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Several biogeographic barriers in the Central African highlands have reduced gene flow among populations of many terrestrial species in predictable ways. Yet, a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms underlying species divergence in the Afrotropics can be obscured by unrecognized levels of cryptic diversity, particularly in widespread species. We implemented a multilocus phylogeographic approach to examine diversity within the widely distributed Central African pygmy chameleon, Rhampholeon boulengeri. Gene-tree analyses coupled with a comparative coalescent-based species delimitation framework revealed R. boulengeri as a complex of at least six genetically distinct species. The spatiotemporal speciation patterns for these cryptic species conform to general biogeographic hypotheses supporting vicariance as the main factor behind patterns of divergence in the Albertine Rift, a biodiversity hotspot in Central Africa. However, we found that parapatric species and sister species inhabited adjacent habitats, but were found in largely non-overlapping elevational ranges in the Albertine Rift, suggesting that differentiation in elevation was also an important mode of divergence. The phylogeographic patterns recovered for the genus-level phylogeny provide additional evidence for speciation by isolation in forest refugia, and dating estimates indicated that the Miocene was a significant period for this diversification. Our results highlight the importance of investigating cryptic diversity in widespread species to improve understanding of diversification patterns in environmentally diverse regions such as the montane Afrotropics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Hughes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - Krystal A Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X7, Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mathias Behangana
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wilber Lukwago
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michele Menegon
- Tropical Biodiversity Section, MUSE - The Science Museum of Trento, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - J Maximilian Dehling
- Institut für Integrierte Naturwissenschaften, Abteilung Biologie, AG Zoologie, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Universitätsstraße 1, 56070 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Jan Stipala
- School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Tremough Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Colin R Tilbury
- Department of Botany & Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Arshad M Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Chifundera Kusamba
- Laboratoire d'Herpétologie, Département de Biologie, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles, Lwiro, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Manthey JD, Reyes-Velasco J, Freilich X, Boissinot S. Diversification in a biodiversity hotspot: genomic variation in the river frog Amietia nutti across the Ethiopian Highlands. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
|
14
|
Hughes DF, Kusamba C, Behangana M, Greenbaum E. Integrative taxonomy of the Central African forest chameleon, Kinyongia adolfifriderici (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), reveals underestimated species diversity in the Albertine Rift. Zool J Linn Soc 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
|
15
|
Freilich X, Anadón JD, Bukala J, Calderon O, Chakraborty R, Boissinot S. Comparative Phylogeography of Ethiopian anurans: impact of the Great Rift Valley and Pleistocene climate change. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:206. [PMID: 27724843 PMCID: PMC5057412 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0774-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Ethiopian highlands are a biodiversity hotspot, split by the Great Rift Valley into two distinct systems of plateaus and mountains. The Rift Valley is currently hot and dry and acts as a barrier to gene flow for highland-adapted species. It is however unlikely that the conditions in the Rift were inhospitable to highland species during the entire Pleistocene. To assess the significance of the Ethiopian Rift as a biogeographic barrier as well as the impact Pleistocene climatic changes have had on the evolution of Ethiopian organisms, we performed phylogeographic analyses and developed present and past niche models on seven anuran species with different elevational and ecological preferences. Results We found that highland species on the east and the west sides of the Rift are genetically differentiated and have not experienced any detectable gene flow for at least 0.4 my. In contrast, species found at elevations lower than 2500 m do not show any population structure. We also determined that highland species have lower effective population sizes than lowland species, which have experienced a large, yet gradual, demographic expansion, starting approximately half a million year ago. Conclusions The pattern we report here is consistent with the increasingly warmer and drier conditions of the Pleistocene in East Africa, which resulted in the expansion of savanna, the fragmentation of forests and the shrinking of highland habitats. Climatic niche models indicated that the Rift is currently non suitable for most of the studied species, but it could have been a more permeable barrier during the Last Glacial Maximum. However, considering the strong genetic structure of highland species, we hypothesize that the barrier mechanisms at the Rift are not only climatic but also topographical. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0774-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xenia Freilich
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA.,Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - José D Anadón
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA.,Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jolanta Bukala
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA
| | - Ordaliza Calderon
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA
| | - Ronveer Chakraborty
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, USA
| | - Stéphane Boissinot
- New York University Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Conradie W, Bittencourt-Silva G, Engelbrecht HM, Loader SP, Menegon M, Nanvonamuquitxo C, Scott M, Tolley KA. Exploration into the hidden world of Mozambique’s sky island forests: new discoveries of reptiles and amphibians. ZOOSYST EVOL 2016. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|