Lack of congruence of genetic and niche divergence in Podarcis hispanicus complex

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Caeiro Dias, G (Author) Other; Luis, C (Author) Other; Pinho, C (Author) Other; Crochet, PA (Author) Other; sillero, n (Author) FCUP; Kaliontzopoulou, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research

Vol. 56

Pages: 479-492

ISSN: 0947-5745

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 11 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00P-Q6N

DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12219

Abstract (EN): Niche divergence among closely related lineages can be informative on the ecological and evolutionary processes involved in differentiation, particularly in the case of cryptic species complexes. Here we compared phylogenetic relationships and niche similarity between pairs of lineages included in the Podarcis hispanicus complex to examine patterns of niche divergence and its role in the organization of current diversity patterns, as allopatric, parapatric, and sympatric lineages occur in the Western Mediterranean Basin. First, we used ecological niche models to characterize the realized climatic niche of each Podarcis hispanicus complex lineage based on topographic and climatic variables, to identify important variables, and to test for niche conservatism or divergence between pairs of lineages. Variables related to precipitation generally exhibited the highest contribution to niche models, highlighting the importance of rainfall levels in shaping distributions of Podarcis wall lizards. We found that most forms have significant differences in realized climatic niches that do not follow the pattern of mitochondrial divergence. These results lend support to the hypothesis that genetic divergence across Podarcis hispanicus complex most likely occurred in allopatric conditions, mostly with significant niche divergence. Competition after secondary contact is also suggested by the common occurrence of niche overlap between lineages that exhibit strictly parapatric distribution. The almost continuous distribution of Podarcis lizards in the study area appears to be a result of a combination of complementary suitable niches and competition, which seem two important mechanisms limiting geographic distributions and restricting the existence of extensive contact zones.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14