scholarly journals Gene flow and Andean uplift shape the diversification of Gasteracantha cancriformis (Araneae: Araneidae) in Northern South America

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian C. Salgado-Roa ◽  
Carolina Pardo-Diaz ◽  
Eloisa Lasso De Paulis ◽  
Carlos F. Arias ◽  
Vera Nisaka Solferini ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAimThe Andean uplift has played a major role shaping the current Neotropical biodiversity. However, in arthropods other than butterflies, little is known about how this geographic barrier has impacted species historical diversification. Here we examined the phylogeography of the widespread and color polymorphic spider Gasteracantha cancriformis to: (i) evaluate the effect of the northern Andean uplift on its divergence and, (ii) assess whether its diversification occurred in the presence of gene flow.LocationNorthern Andes and BrazilMethodsWe inferred phylogenetic relationships and divergence times in G. cancriformis using mitochondrial and nuclear data from 105 individuals in northern South America. Genetic diversity, divergence and population structure were quantified. We also compared multiple demographic scenarios for this species using a model-based approach (PHRAPL) to establish divergence with or without gene flow. Finally, we evaluated the association between genetic variation and color polymorphism.ResultsBoth nuclear and mitochondrial data supported two well-differentiated clades, which correspond to populations occurring in opposite sides of the Eastern cordillera of the Colombian Andes. The splitting between these clades occurred in the early Pleistocene, around 2.13 million years ago (95% HPD = 0.98–3.93).Despite this vicariant event, there is shared genetic variation between the clades, which is better explained by a scenario of historical divergence in the face of gene flow. Color polymorphism was randomly scattered in both clades and is not statistically associated with the genetic variation studied here.Main ConclusionsThe final uplift of Eastern cordillera of the Colombian Andes was identified as the major force that shaped the diversification of G. cancriformis in Northern South America, resulting in a cis- and trans-Andean phylogeographic structure for the species. The divergence in the face of gene flow between cis- and trans-Andean populations found for this spider has been likely facilitated by the presence of low-elevation passes across the Eastern Colombian cordillera. Our work constitutes the first example where the Andean uplift coupled with gene flow influenced the evolutionary history of an arachnid lineage.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (14) ◽  
pp. 7131-7142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian C. Salgado-Roa ◽  
Carolina Pardo-Diaz ◽  
Eloisa Lasso ◽  
Carlos F. Arias ◽  
Vera Nisaka Solferini ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Muñoz-Valencia ◽  
Glever Alexander Velez-Matinez ◽  
James Montoya-Lerma ◽  
Fernando Diaz

Neotropical diversification by the Andean uplift is typically addressed on a large evolutionary scale (e.g. speciation), even though many species are still distributed in both sides of the mountains. The three parallel mountain ranges in the northern Andes (Colombia) impose a major geographical barrier to species' migration from South to Central America. How important these barriers are for conspecific diversification of cross-Andean species such as the leaf-cutting ants remains largely unknown. To answer this question, we studied the mtCOI gene of Atta cephalotes, the most widely distributed leaf-cutting ant species. Our hierarchical analyzes evidenced substantial genetic structure among regions and populations, suggesting a more complex biogeographical history of Andean populations than previously thought. These mountains seem to isolate Central American and Western Colombian populations from the rest of A. cephalotes in South America. Population and migration modelling are consistent with the origin of this species in South America and a major role of the Eastern cordillera as a geographical barrier to historical gene flow, restricting dispersion from north to south. These findings provide insights into the role of the Andean uplift as barrier to gene flow and, eventually, implications for monitoring and designing management strategies for leaf-cutting ants.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Tomasini ◽  
Stephan Peischl

AbstractGenetic variation and population sizes are critical factors for successful adaptation to novel environmental conditions. Gene flow between sub-populations is a potent mechanism to provide such variation and can hence facilitate adaption, for instance by increasing genetic variation or via adaptive introgression. On the other hand, if gene flow between different habitats is too strong, locally beneficial alleles may not be able to establish permanently. In the context of evolutionary rescue, intermediate levels of gene flow are therefore often optimal for maximizing a species chance for survival in meta-populations without spatial structure. To which extent and under which conditions gene flow facilitates or hinders evolutionary rescue in spatially structured populations remains unresolved. We address this question and show that detrimental effects of gene flow can become negligible in spatially structured populations subject to a gradual deterioration of environmental conditions. If the number of sub-populations is sufficiently large, we find a positive relationship between the amount of gene flow and the survival chance of the population. A counter-intuitive conclusion is that increased fragmentation can facilitate species survival in the face of severe environmental change if migration is common but limited to neighboring sub-populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 749 ◽  
pp. 141621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan F. Mendez-Espinosa ◽  
Nestor Y. Rojas ◽  
Jorge Vargas ◽  
Jorge E. Pachón ◽  
Luis C. Belalcazar ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 875529302110275
Author(s):  
Carlos A Arteta ◽  
Cesar A Pajaro ◽  
Vicente Mercado ◽  
Julián Montejo ◽  
Mónica Arcila ◽  
...  

Subduction ground motions in northern South America are about a factor of 2 smaller than the ground motions for similar events in other regions. Nevertheless, historical and recent large-interface and intermediate-depth slab earthquakes of moment magnitudes Mw = 7.8 (Ecuador, 2016) and 7.2 (Colombia, 2012) evidenced the vast potential damage that vulnerable populations close to earthquake epicenters could experience. This article proposes a new empirical ground-motion prediction model for subduction events in northern South America, a regionalization of the global AG2020 ground-motion prediction equations. An updated ground-motion database curated by the Colombian Geological Survey is employed. It comprises recordings from earthquakes associated with the subduction of the Nazca plate gathered by the National Strong Motion Network in Colombia and by the Institute of Geophysics at Escuela Politécnica Nacional in Ecuador. The regional terms of our model are estimated with 539 records from 60 subduction events in Colombia and Ecuador with epicenters in the range of −0.6° to 7.6°N and 75.5° to 79.6°W, with Mw≥4.5, hypocentral depth range of 4 ≤  Zhypo ≤ 210 km, for distances up to 350 km. The model includes forearc and backarc terms to account for larger attenuation at backarc sites for slab events and site categorization based on natural period. The proposed model corrects the median AG2020 global model to better account for the larger attenuation of local ground motions and includes a partially non-ergodic variance model.


The Auk ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 136 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalina Palacios ◽  
Silvana García-R ◽  
Juan Luis Parra ◽  
Andrés M Cuervo ◽  
F Gary Stiles ◽  
...  

Abstract Ecological speciation can proceed despite genetic interchange when selection counteracts the homogenizing effects of migration. We tested predictions of this divergence-with-gene-flow model in Coeligena helianthea and C. bonapartei, 2 parapatric Andean hummingbirds with marked plumage divergence. We sequenced putatively neutral markers (mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] and nuclear ultraconserved elements [UCEs]) to examine genetic structure and gene flow, and a candidate gene (MC1R) to assess its role underlying divergence in coloration. We also tested the prediction of Gloger’s rule that darker forms occur in more humid environments, and examined morphological variation to assess adaptive mechanisms potentially promoting divergence. Genetic differentiation between species was low in both ND2 and UCEs. Coalescent estimates of migration were consistent with divergence with gene flow, but we cannot reject incomplete lineage sorting reflecting recent speciation as an explanation for patterns of genetic variation. MC1R variation was unrelated to phenotypic differences. Species did not differ in macroclimatic niches but were distinct in morphology. Although we reject adaptation to variation in macroclimatic conditions as a cause of divergence, speciation may have occurred in the face of gene flow driven by other ecological pressures or by sexual selection. Marked phenotypic divergence with no neutral genetic differentiation is remarkable for Neotropical birds, and makes C. helianthea and C. bonapartei an appropriate system in which to search for the genetic basis of species differences employing genomics.


1940 ◽  
Vol 18d (5) ◽  
pp. 173-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry J. Griffiths

A morphological and biological study is presented of a hitherto unrecorded member of the genus Strongyloides from the golden-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta agouti), a rodent native to Trinidad, B.W.I., and northern South America. The name Strongyloides agoutii sp. nov. is proposed for this species.Observations on the free-living development over a period of three years showed the indirect type to prevail; no seasonal variation was observed. Continuous propagation of the free-living generation of this species was not observed in faecal cultures or on artificial media.A brief résumé of the classical studies on species of the genus Strongyloides is included, together with a summary of existing hypotheses and theories on the biology of this group. A list of species and hosts for this genus is given.


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