scholarly journals Phylogenetic climatic niche conservatism and evolution of climatic suitability in Neotropical Angraecinae (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) and their closest African relatives

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Kolanowska ◽  
Elżbieta Grochocka ◽  
Kamil Konowalik
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Climatic Suitability ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Old World ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Angraecoid Orchids

In the present study we investigate the concept of phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC) within the American species of angraecoid orchids (Campylocentrum and Dendrophylax) and their closest relatives in the Old World (Angraecum) using ecological niche modelling (ENM). The predicted niche occupancy profiles were matched with the outcomes of previous phylogenetic studies to reconstruct the evolution of climatic suitability within the orchid group studied and evaluate the role of niche differentiation in the speciation of Angraecinae. No correlation between preferred niches and taxonomic relationships within the orchid group studied was revealed. The climatic suitability of the majority of the species overlapped each other, either fully or partially. This pattern is also present in the species of other orchid genera. Our research confirms a significant level of PNC in Orchidaceae, even within taxa exhibiting a transatlantic disjunction. The analysis of the evolution of climatic suitability indicated that the adaptation to various climatic conditions is not a factor that has driven speciation within orchids studied.

Niche conservatism predominates in adaptive radiation: comparing the diversification of Hawaiian arthropods using ecological niche modelling

2019 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 479-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E Hiller ◽  
Michelle S Koo ◽  
Kari R Goodman ◽  
Kerry L Shaw ◽  
Patrick M O’Grady ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Radiation ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Species Comparisons

Abstract The role of the environmental niche in fostering ecological divergence during adaptive radiation remains enigmatic. In this study, we examine the interplay between environmental niche divergence and conservatism in the context of adaptive radiation on oceanic islands, by characterizing the niche breadth of four Hawaiian arthropod radiations: Tetragnatha spiders (Tetragnathidae Latreille, 1804), Laupala crickets (Gryllidae Otte, 1994), a clade of Drosophila flies (Drosophilidae Fallén, 1823) and Nesosydne planthoppers (Delphacidae Kirkaldy, 1907). We assembled occurrence datasets for the four lineages, modelled their distributions and quantified niche overlap. All four groups occupy the islands in distinct ways, highlighting the contrasting axes of diversification for different lineages. Laupala and Nesosydne have opposite environmental niche extents (broad and narrow, respectively), whereas Tetragnatha and Drosophila share relatively intermediate tolerances. Temperature constrains the distributions of all four radiations. Tests of phylogenetic signal suggest that, for Tetragnatha and Drosophila, closely related species exhibit similar environmental niches; thus, diversification is associated with niche conservatism. Sister species comparisons also show that populations often retain similar environmental tolerances, although exceptions do occur. Results imply that diversification does not occur through ecological speciation; instead, adaptive radiation occurs largely within a single environment.

scholarly journals Evolutionary history of the two North African hedgehogs (Mammalia: Erinaceidae) Atelerix algirus and Paraechinus aethiopicus based on phylogeography and species distribution modelling

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 799-811
Author(s):  
Haithem El-Farhati ◽  
Mourad Khaldi ◽  
Alexis Ribas ◽  
Mohamed Wassim Hizem ◽  
Saïd Nouira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Species Distribution Modelling ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Climatic Suitability ◽  
North African ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Distribution Modelling ◽  
The North ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
History Of

Abstract Two species of hedgehogs are known to occur in northern part of Africa: the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus and the Ethiopian hedgehog Paraechinus aethiopicus. Within each species several subspecies were described based on morphometrical data and pelage coloration, but all these subspecies have enigmatic and unclear definitions. We investigated the phylogeographical history and taxonomy of these two species based on mitochondrial DNA data covering the entire geographical distribution of A. algirus and the North African distribution of P. aethiopicus. We also used climatic niche modelling to make inferences about their evolutionary history. Low genetic diversity was recovered in both species. While no phylogeographic pattern was found in P. aethiopicus, two haplogroups were identified within A. algirus. This could be explained by the fact that continuous high or moderate climatic suitability occurred throughout most of the Saharan desert since the LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) for the first species, while during the LGM there were several disconnected areas of high climatic suitability for A. algirus: one in South-West Morocco, one at the coastal Moroccan-Algerian border and one in Tunisia-coastal Libya. Our genetic results confirm that A. algirus recently colonized Spain, Balearic and Canary Islands, and that this colonization was probably mediated by humans. Suitable climatic conditions occurred throughout most of the Southern and Eastern Iberian Peninsula during the last 6,000 years which could have favored the spatial expansion of the Algerian hedgehog after its arrival in Europe. According to our molecular results subspecific recognition within North Africa is unwarranted for both species.

scholarly journals Ecological assessment and environmental niche modelling of Himalayan rhubarb (Rheum webbianum Royle) in northwest Himalaya

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259345
Author(s):  
Ishfaq Ahmad Wani ◽  
Susheel Verma ◽  
Priyanka Kumari ◽  
Bipin Charles ◽  
Maha J. Hashim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Ecological Niche Modelling ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Jammu And Kashmir ◽  
Actual Distribution ◽  
Potential Habitats ◽  
Rcp 8.5

In an era of anthropocene, threatened and endemic species with small population sizes and habitat specialists experience a greater global conservation concern in view of being at higher risk of extinction. Predicting and plotting appropriate potential habitats for such species is a rational method for monitoring and restoring their dwindling populations in expected territories. Ecological niche modelling (ENM) coalesces species existence sites with environmental raster layers to construct models that describe possible distributions of plant species. The present study is aimed to study the potential distribution and cultivation hotspots for reintroducing the high value, vulnerable medicinal herb (Rheum webbianum) in the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh using population attributes and ecological niche modelling approach. Sixty-three populations inventoried from twenty-eight areas display a significant change in the phytosociological attributes on account of various anthropogenic threats. The current potential habitats coincide with actual distribution records and the mean value of Area Under Curve (AUC) was 0.98 and the line of predicted omission was almost adjacent to omission in training samples, thus validating a robustness of the model. The potential habitat suitability map based on the current climatic conditions predicted a total of 103760 km2 as suitable area for the growth of Rheum webbianum. Under the future climatic conditions, there is a significant reduction in the habitat suitability ranging from -78531.34 Km2 (RCP 4.5 for 2050) to -77325.81 (RCP 8.5 for 2070). Furthermore, there is a slight increase in the suitable habitats under future climatic conditions, ranging from +21.99 Km2 under RCP 8.5 (2050) to +3.14 Km2 under RCP 4.5 (2070). The Jackknife tests indicated Precipitation of Driest Month (BIO14) as the most contributing climatic variable in governing the distribution of R. webbianum. Therefore, scientifically sound management strategies are urgently needed to save whatever populations are left in-situ to protect this species from getting extinct. Present results can be used by conservationists for mitigating the biodiversity decline and exploring undocumented populations of R. webbianum on one hand and by policymakers in implementing the policy of conservation of species with specific habitat requirements by launching species recovery programmes in future on the other.

scholarly journals Ecological niche differentiation in Chiroxiphia and Antilophia manakins (Aves: Pipridae)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0243760
Author(s):  
Mariana Villegas ◽  
Bette A. Loiselle ◽  
Rebecca T. Kimball ◽  
John G. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Phylogenetic Distance ◽  
Evolutionary Time ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Ecological Differentiation ◽  
Niche Divergence

Species distribution models are useful for identifying the ecological characteristics that may limit a species’ geographic range and for inferring patterns of speciation. Here, we test a hypothesis of niche conservatism across evolutionary time in a group of manakins (Aves: Pipridae), with a focus on Chiroxiphia boliviana, and examine the degree of ecological differentiation with other Chiroxiphia and Antilophia manakins. We tested whether allopatric sister species were more or less similar in environmental space than expected given their phylogenetic distances, which would suggest, respectively, ecological niche conservatism over time or ecologically mediated selection (i.e. niche divergence). We modeled the distribution of nine manakin taxa (C. boliviana, C. caudata, C. lanceolata, C. linearis, C. p. pareola, C. p. regina, C. p. napensis, Antilophia galeata and A. bokermanni) using Maxent. We first performed models for each taxon and compared them. To test our hypothesis we followed three approaches: (1) we tested whether C. boliviana could predict the distribution of the other manakin taxa and vice versa; (2) we compared the ecological niches by using metrics of niche overlap, niche equivalency and niche similarity; and (3) lastly, we tested whether niche differentiation corresponded to phylogenetic distances calculated from two recent phylogenies. All models had high training and test AUC values. Mean AUC ratios were high (>0.8) for most taxa, indicating performance better than random. Results suggested niche conservatism, and high niche overlap and equivalency between C. boliviana and C. caudata, but we found very low values between C. boliviana and the rest of the taxa. We found a negative, but not significant, relationship between niche overlap and phylogenetic distance, suggesting an increase in ecological differentiation and niche divergence over evolutionary time. Overall, we give some insights into the evolution of C. boliviana, proposing that ecological selection may have influenced its speciation.

Biogeographical patterns and processes in the genus group Scotussae (Acrididae: Melanoplinae): an integrative approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-433
Author(s):  
María Celeste Scattolini ◽  
Andrés Lira-Noriega ◽  
Viviana Andrea Confalonieri ◽  
Silvia Pietrokovsky ◽  
María Marta Cigliano
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Total Evidence ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Phylogenetic Distance ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Phylogenetic Niche Conservatism ◽  
Patterns And Processes

Abstract A biogeographical study of the genus group Scotussae, a clade of grasshoppers endemic to the subtropical temperate region of the La Plata Basin, South America, was performed within a phylogenetic context to test whether wing reduction reflects evolutionary and ecological processes within the clade. We used an integrative biogeographical approach to determine the role of geohistorical events, geography, ecology and phylogenetic niche conservatism on the distribution and diversification processes of the group. We performed a total evidence phylogenetic analysis and tested the phylogenetic signal of ecological niche traits (niche optimum and niche breadth). We also assessed the degree to which phylogenetic distance is correlated with geographical and ecological niche traits and we used BioGeoBEARS to estimate ancestral ranges. The results provided evidence for phylogenetic niche conservatism as well as a significant association between phylogeny and both geographical and, more strongly, ecological traits. Two main clades were clearly associated with wing development, and evidence points to the evolutionary and ecological processes within these two groups being different. The Brachypterous clade shows evidence that allopatric speciation was the main source of diversification, while for the Macropterous clade sympatric speciation seems more likely.

An Overview of Historical Distribution Patterns of Chalcides ocellatus (Forsskål, 1775) Using Ecological Niche Modelling: the Taurus Mountains as a Refugium

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 319-326
Author(s):  
Kamil Candan ◽  
Çetin Ilgaz ◽  
Yusuf Kumlutaş ◽  
Serkan Gül
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Last Interglacial ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Taurus Mountains ◽  
Historical Distribution ◽  
Chalcides Ocellatus ◽  
The Last Glacial

The Taurus Mountains that have a very rich biodiversity are one of the most important mountain chains in Anatolia. In this study, we examined distribution patterns of Chalcides ocellatus that has a restricted dispersal between the Taurus Mountains from the past to current using ecological niche modeling. The Taurus Mountains have played the role as a refugium area in which C. ocellatus could survive through a period of unfavorable conditions. Especially in the glaciation period, Amanos Mountains in the Middle Taurus as an isolating barrier appeared unsuitable habitats for the lineages of C. ocellatus. This indicated that the lineages of C. ocellatus were formed as a result of habitat fragmentation during the last glacial maximum and last interglacial, and were consequently adapted to different climatic conditions.

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