Climatic Niche Differences Research Articles

Deterministic responses of biodiversity to climate change through exotic species invasions.

Biodiversity is increasingly threatened by local extinction under global climate change. This may reflect direct effects of climate on poorly adapted native species or increased impacts of exotic species in these conditions, but their relative importance is poorly understood. By examining global occurrence records of 142 plant species found in the Yangtze River Valley, we found that the climatic niches of exotic species differed from those of natives, mainly reflecting exotics being most common in warmer, drier and more isothermal climates in their native ranges. These differences in climatic niches, especially temperature, predicted invasion intensity in 459 plots along a 1,800-km transect in the Yangtze River Valley. On the basis of this strong match between model predictions and field survey results, we predict that invasions will probably be more intense in future climatic conditions, especially from warming at the coldest sites. The direct negative effect of warming on native diversity was larger than the indirect effects mediated through increased invasions. However, moderate invasion increased communities' overall species diversity. More broadly, our study highlights the role of exotic species in the ecological response of regional biodiversity to global climate change.

Forest herb species with similar European geographic ranges may respond differently to climate change

Many phenological studies have shown that spring geophytes are very sensitive to climate change, responding by shifting flowering and fruiting dates. However, there is a gap in knowledge about climatic drivers of their distributions and range shifts under climate change. Here we aimed to estimate climate niche shifts for four widely distributed and common geophytes of the nemoral zone of Europe (Anemone nemorosa, Anemone ranunculoides, Convallaria majalis and Maianthemum bifolium) and to assess the threat level under various climate change scenarios. Using MaxEnt species distribution models and future climate change scenarios we found that the precipitation of the warmest quarter was the most important factor shaping their ranges. All species studied will experience more loss in the 2061–2080 period than in 2041–2060, and under more pessimistic scenarios. M. bifolium will experience the highest loss, followed by A. nemorosa, A. ranunculoides, and the smallest for C. majalis. A. ranunculoides will gain the most, while M. bifolium will have the smallest potential range expansion. Studied species may respond differently to climate change despite similar current distributions and climatic variables affecting their potential distribution. Even slight differences in climatic niches could reduce the overlap of future ranges compared to present. We expect that due to high dependence on the warmest quarter precipitation, summer droughts in the future may be particularly severe for species that prefer moist soils. The lack of adaptation to long-distance migration and limited availability of appropriate soils may limit their migration and lead to a decline in biodiversity and changes in European forests.

Incipient speciation, high genetic diversity, and ecological divergence in the alligator bark juniper suggest complex demographic changes during the Pleistocene.

The most recent glacial cycles of the Pleistocene affected the distribution, population sizes, and levels of genetic structure of temperate-forest species in the main Mexican mountain systems. Our objective was to investigate the effects these cycles had on the genetic structure and distribution of a dominant species of the “mexical” vegetation across North and Central America. We studied the genetic diversity of Juniperus deppeana, a conifer distributed from the Southwestern United States to the highlands of Central America. We combined information of one plastid marker and two nuclear markers to infer phylogeographic structure, genetic diversity and demographic changes. We also characterized the climatic niche for each variety to infer the plausible area of suitability during past climatic conditions and to evaluate climatic niche discontinuities along with the species distribution. We found a marked phylogeographic structure separating the populations North and South of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, with populations to the South of this barrier forming a distinct genetic cluster corresponding to Juniperus deppeana var. gamboana. We also found signals of population expansion in the Northern genetic cluster. Ecological niche modeling results confirmed climatic niche differences and discontinuities among J. deppeana varieties and heterogeneous responses to climatic oscillations. Overall, J. deppeana’s genetic diversity has been marked by distribution shifts, population growth and secondary contact the North, and in situ permanence in the South since the last interglacial to the present. High genetic variation suggests a wide and climatically diverse distribution during climatic oscillations. We detected the existence of two main genetic clusters, supporting previous proposals that Juniperus deppeana and Juniperus gamboana may be considered two separate species.

Climatic niche pre-adaptation facilitated island colonization followed by budding speciation in the Madeiran ivy (Hedera maderensis, Araliaceae).

The path followed by species in the colonization of remote oceanic islands ultimately depends on their phylogenetic constraints and ecological responses. In this study, we aim to evaluate the relative role of geographical and ecological forces in the origin and evolution of the Madeiran ivy (Hedera maderensis), a single-species endemic belonging to the western polyploid clade of Hedera. To determine the phylogenetic placement of H. maderensis within the western polyploid clade, we analyzed 40 populations (92 individuals) using genotyping-by-sequencing and including Hedera helix as outgroup. Climatic niche differences among the study species were evaluated using a database with 867 records representing the entire species ranges. To test species responses to climate, 13 vegetative and reproductive functional traits were examined for 70 populations (335 individuals). Phylogenomic results revealed a nested pattern with H. maderensis embedded within the south-western Iberian H. iberica. Gradual niche differentiation from the coldest and most continental populations of H. iberica to the warm and stable coastal population sister to H. maderensis parallels the geographical pattern observed in the phylogeny. Similarity in functional traits is observed for H. maderensis and H. iberica. The two species show leaves with higher specific leaf area (SLA), lower leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and thickness and fruits with lower pulp fraction than the other western polyploid species H. hibernica. Acquisition of a Macaronesian climatic niche and the associated functional syndrome in mainland European ivies (leaves with high SLA, and low LDMC and thickness, and fruits with less pulp content) was a key step in the colonization of Madeira by the H. iberica/H. maderensis lineage, which points to climatic pre-adaptation as key in the success of island colonization (dispersal and establishment). Once in Madeira, budding speciation was driven by geographical isolation, while ecological processes are regarded as secondary forces with a putative impact in the lack of further in situ diversification.

Phylogeography of the endangered orchids Cypripedium japonicum and Cypripedium formosanum in East Asia: Deep divergence at infra‐ and interspecific levels

AbstractTo date, little is known about the past evolutionary trajectories of rare and endangered orchids native to mainland China, Japan, and Korea (the CJK region). In this study, we focus on two endangered orchids, Cypripedium japonicum (present in the three countries) and C. formosanum (endemic to Taiwan), to understand the divergence/speciation models that would have been operating in this group, including genetic diversity, geographic structure, and colonization pathways across the region. Using a combination of five cpDNA regions, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees and investigated the genetic diversity/structure of 20 populations. Ecological niche modeling was used to gain insight into the paleodistribution and dispersal corridors at the Last Glacial Maximum and to survey climatic niche differences. Populations from mainland China + Korea, Japan, and Taiwan formed three distinct monophyletic lineages and were placed into separate genetic clusters, agreeing with geographic barriers and species boundaries. Populations of C. japonicum in mainland China harbored the highest diversity, suggesting the presence of multiple glacial refugia. The Korean populations would have originated from either western/central or eastern China, probably using a dispersal corridor across the East China Sea shelf. The divergence of C. formosanum is proposed under an allopatric speciation model, also highly influenced by a climate niche shift. In the context of previous studies, a deep divergence in cpDNA sequences between Chinese + Korean and Japanese populations of C. japonicum may be taken as an example of the speciation events of the CJK flora since the late Neogene that have led to its current species richness.

The flooded habitat adaptation, niche differentiation, and evolution of Myristicaceae trees in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in India

AbstractEnvironmental heterogeneity is considered as one of the main drivers of habitat specialization and niche evolution among tropical plant lineages, and local‐scale habitat specialization promotes niche differentiation among sister taxa. In this study, we examined the degree to which habitat specialization leads to niche differentiation across the distribution range of a given species using five species of the family Myristicaceae native to Western Ghats, India, as an example. In the Western Ghats, Myristicaceae species occur in two main habitat types, namely, freshwater swamps (flooded habitat) and terra firme forest (non‐flooded habitat), distributed across a seasonal flooding gradient. First, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of flooded habitat specialization among global and Western Ghats Myristicaceae by mapping flooded habitat association and traits conferring flood tolerance (e.g., aerial roots) on a dated phylogeny. Then, we investigated climatic niche differences among lineages occupying flooded and terra firme habitats using occurrence data and environmental variables. Our analysis revealed swampy habitat occurrence as the probable ancestral state with subsequent speciation events leading to adaptation to non‐swampy habitats. We also show that traits conferring flood tolerance have evolved independently several times during the evolution of Myristicaceae. Furthermore, phylogenetically distantly related Myristicaceae taxa occupying different habitats (flooded and terra firme habitat) in Western Ghats show significant niche divergence. Overall, the repeated gain of swampy habitat specialization and associated morphological traits and evidence for habitat‐associated climatic niche divergence among Myristicaceae taxa suggest that seasonal flooding may have been an important driver of ecological diversification in this primitive plant family.

Climatic niche differences among Zootoca vivipara clades with different parity modes: implications for the evolution and maintenance of viviparity

Parity mode (oviparity/viviparity) importantly affects the ecology, morphology, physiology, biogeography and evolution of organisms. The main hypotheses explaining the evolution and maintenance of viviparity are based on bioclimatic predictions and also state that the benefits of viviparity arise during the reproductive period. We identify the main climatic variables discriminating between viviparous and oviparous Eurasian common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) occurrence records during the reproductive period and over the entire year.Analyses based on the climates during the reproductive period show that viviparous clades inhabit sites with less variable temperature and precipitation. On the contrary, analyses based on the annual climates show that viviparous clades inhabit sites with more variable temperatures.Results from models using climates during reproduction are in line with the “selfish-mother hypothesis”, which can explain the success of viviparity, the maintenance of the two reproductive modes, and why viviparous individuals cannot colonize sites inhabited by oviparous ones (and vice versa). They suggest that during the reproductive period viviparity has an adaptive advantage over oviparity in less risky habitats thanks to the selfish behaviour of the mothers. Moreover, the results from both analyses stress that hypotheses about the evolution and maintenance of viviparity need to be tested during the reproductive period.

Dispersal syndromes are poorly associated with climatic niche differences in the Azorean seed plants

AbstractAimEnvironmental niche tracking is linked to the species ability to disperse. While well investigated on large spatial scales, dispersal constraints also influence small‐scale processes and may explain the difference between the potential and the realized niche of species at small scales. Here we test whether niche size and niche fill differ systematically according to dispersal syndrome within isolated oceanic islands. We expect that species with higher dispersal abilities (anemochorous or endozoochorous) will have a higher niche fill, despite their environmental niche size.LocationAzores archipelago.TaxonNative seed plants.MethodsWe combined a georeferenced database of the species distribution within the archipelago (Azorean Biodiversity Portal/GBIF) with an expert‐based dispersal syndrome categorization and a high‐resolution climatic grid (CIELO model). Using four climatic variables (Annual Mean Temperature, Mean Diurnal Range, Annual Precipitation, Precipitation Seasonality), we calculated a four‐dimensional hypervolume to estimate the niche size of each species. Niche fill was quantified as the suitable climatic space of the island that was occupied by the focal species.ResultsWe found a significant relationship between dispersal syndromes and niche size, and also between dispersal syndromes and niche fill. Such relationships presented no phylogenetic signal. Endozoochorous species display higher niche fill compared to epizoochorous and hydrochorous species, and larger niches than anemochorous and epizoochorous. Differences among the remaining groups are not significant for either niche size or for niche fill.Main conclusionsThe ability of a species to track its niche at small scales is not tightly related to its dispersal syndrome, although endozoochorous species track their niche more efficiently than the rest of groups. Despite being intuitively appealing, dispersal syndrome classifications might not be the most appropriate tools for understanding dispersal processes at small scales.

Phylogenetic conservatism and biogeographic affinity influence woody plant species richness–climate relationships in eastern Eurasia

Mechanisms underlying species richness patterns remain a central yet controversial issue in biology. Climate has been regarded as a major determinant of species richness. However, the relative influences of different evolutionary processes, (i.e. niche conservatism, diversification rate and time for speciation) on species richness–climate relationships remain to be tested. Here, using newly compiled distribution maps for 11 422 woody plant species in eastern Eurasia, we estimated species richness patterns for all species and for families with tropical and temperate affinities separately, and explored the phylogenetic signals in species richness patterns of different families and their relationships with contemporary climate and climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We further compared the effects of niche conservatism (represented by contemporary‐ancestral climatic niches differences), diversification rate and time for speciation (represented by family age) on variation in the slopes of species richness–climate relationships. We found that winter coldness was the best predictor for species richness patterns of most tropical families while Quaternary climate change was the best predictor for those of most temperate families. Species richness patterns of closely‐related families were more similar than those of distantly‐related families within eudicots, and significant phylogenetic signals characterized the slopes of species richness–climate relationships across all angiosperm families. Contemporary‐ancestral climatic niche differences dominated variation in the relationships between family‐level species richness and most climate variables. Our results indicate significant phylogenetic conservatism in family‐level species richness patterns and their relationships with contemporary climate within eudicots. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying large‐scale species richness patterns and suggest that ancestral climatic niche may influence the evolution of species richness–climate relationships in plants through niche conservatism.

Geographic range and habitat reconstructions shed light on palaeotropical intercontinental disjunction and regional diversification patterns in Artabotrys (Annonaceae)

AbstractAimThe biogeographical and habitat history of the species‐rich angiosperm genus Artabotrys is reconstructed to assess hypotheses relating to processes that underlie palaeotropical intercontinental disjunction (PID) and regional diversification patterns.LocationPalaeotropics.TaxonArtabotrys (Annonaceae).MethodsPhylogenetic relationships were estimated based on 53 Artabotrys species, using four chloroplast and 10 nuclear markers (c. 15.7 kb). Divergence times were estimated using two fossil calibrations and an uncorrelated lognormal relaxed clock model. Ancestral range estimation was performed under a dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis model while ancestral habitat reconstruction was conducted using the BAYAREALIKE model.ResultsArtabotrys is unequivocally monophyletic, with a species‐rich main Artabotrys clade (MAC) comprising distinct African and Asian sister clades, and an early divergent grade (EDG) comprising two African species. An ancestral range in Africa is inferred, with a single dispersal to Asia. The PID at the MAC crown occurred in the Miocene. A broad habitat tolerance spanning rain forests and seasonally dry forests/savannas was inferred at the MAC stem and crown nodes. Several shifts from rain forests to seasonally dry habitats were inferred, but there is no indication of a reverse transition.Main conclusionsThe most plausible explanation for the PID involves overland migration across Arabia in the Miocene, prior to subsequent climate deterioration. Long‐standing differences in climatic niche may have resulted in a significant yet porous biogeographical divide at the Isthmus of Kra, but Wallace's line does not reflect differences in climatic niches. Niche conservatism is an underlying pattern in Artabotrys, with local niche shifts occurring rather recently.

Niche segregation in Iberian Argiope species

The ecological niches of the three Iberian Argiope species have not been studied in quantitative detail, and recently developed approaches for assessing niche overlap have rarely been applied to invertebrates. This study aimed to quantify the climatic niche differences between Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772), A. lobata (Pallas, 1772) and A. trifasciata (Forsskål, 1775) in the Iberian Peninsula. An extensive occurrence database for the three species was compiled from the literature, a citizen science project (Biodiversidad Virtual) and a social network (Flickr). Niche comparison and recursive partitioning analyses were used to compare and characterize the niches of these species using regional climatic information. The three Argiope species had different distribution patterns within the Iberian Peninsula with a clear degree of sympatry. Despite an appreciable niche overlap, the three species had significantly different climatic niches. A. bruennichi was present in colder and more humid environments, while A. lobata and A. trifasciata selected warmer, drier environments. A. trifasciata preferred areas with higher minimum temperatures than A. lobata and avoided continental environments that the two other species tolerated. Despite these differences, the Iberian Peninsula contained a broad range of suitable environments where more than one species co-occurred. Further studies are needed to explore these species relationships, particularly given the trend of ranges shifting north due to global warming. Considering both the results of this study and the increasingly xeric conditions in the Iberian Peninsula, A. lobata and A. trifasciata may benefit at the expense of a retraction of A. bruennichi.

Low genetic differentiation between two morphologically and ecologically distinct giant-leaved Mexican oaks

Quercus magnoliifolia and Q. resinosa are two Mexican white oak species that have been taxonomically reported to exhibit morphological similarities and possible hybridization. The objective of this study was to compare the variation in Q. magnoliifolia and Q. resinosa throughout their distribution range to identify the degree of species differentiation using morphological, ecological and genetic tools. Morphological analysis showed differentiation in leaf shape between the species corresponding to the taxonomical identification of Q. magnoliifolia and Q. resinosa in almost all cases, but intermediate individuals were identified in the middle of the species ranges. Comparison of ecological niche models for Q. magnoliifolia and Q. resinosa showed non-equivalent ecological niches, high climatic niche differences and low to moderate spatial and environmental niche overlap, mainly along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt where morphologically intermediate individuals between species were more frequently located, suggesting recent hybridization by secondary contact. In contrast, we found low but significant genetic differentiation between Q. magnoliifolia and Q. resinosa and lower interspecific than intraspecific genetic differentiation, and Bayesian clustering analysis (K = 2) failed to assign each species to a unique genotype, suggesting shared ancestral variation as the cause of genetic similarity between species due to recent divergence. In conclusion, although neutral molecular markers do not distinguish the species Q. magnoliifolia and Q. resinosa, we found morphological and ecological differentiation between these oaks that provide preliminary evidence for divergent selection.

Large-scale environmental niche variation between clonal and non-clonal plant species: Roles of clonal growth organs and ecoregions

Clonal plant species can produce genetically identical and potentially independent offspring, and dominate a variety of habitats. The divergent evolutionary mechanisms between clonal and non-clonal plants are interesting areas of ecological research. A number of studies have shown that the environmental niche theory can support the mechanisms of evolution across plant species clades at large scales. However, few studies have explored large-scale environmental niche variation between clonal and non-clonal plant species. Here, we used principal component analysis to quantify the environmental niche of 137 plant species belonging to 13 genera, including 87 clonal species and 50 non-clonal species. We then used a standardized effect size to assess environmental niche variation between clonal and non-clonal plant species within each genus, based on types of clonal growth organs and ecoregions. Our study provided the first evidence that there were significant environmental niche differences between clonal and non-clonal plant species at large scales. Such differences varied depending on the types of clonal growth organs and ecoregions. Clonal plants with different growth organs (i.e., epigeogenous stems, hypogeogenous stems, root-splitters, and adventitious buds on roots) contributed greatly to differences in climatic niches between clonal and non-clonal plants. Differences in environmental niches between clonal and non-clonal plant species also depended on ecoregion types. Specifically, the ecoregions of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests can lead to environmental niche variation between clonal and non-clonal plant species. Our results provide new insights into the evolutionary divergence between clonal and non-clonal plant species.

Along the speciation continuum: Quantifying intrinsic and extrinsic isolating barriers across five million years of evolutionary divergence in California jewelflowers.

Understanding the relative roles of intrinsic and extrinsic reproductive barriers, and their interplay within the geographic context of diverging taxa, remains an outstanding challenge in the study of speciation. We conducted a comparative analysis of reproductive isolation in California Jewelflowers (Streptanthus, s.l., Brassicaceae) by quantifying potential barriers to gene flow at multiple life history stages in 39 species pairs spanning five million years of evolutionary divergence. We quantified nine potential pre- and postzygotic barriers and explored patterns of reproductive isolation in relation to genetic distance. Intrinsic postzygotic isolation was initially weak, increased at intermediate genetic distances, and reached a threshold characterized by complete genetic incompatibility. Climatic niche differences were strong at shallow genetic distances, and species pairs with overlapping ranges showed slight but appreciable phenological isolation, highlighting the potential for ecological barriers to contribute to speciation. Geographic analyses suggest that speciation is not regionally allopatric in the California Jewelflowers, as recently diverged taxa occur in relatively close proximity and display substantial range overlap. Young pairs are characterized by incomplete intrinsic postzygotic isolation, suggesting that extrinsic barriers or fine-scale spatial segregation are more important early in the divergence process than genetic incompatibilities.

Niche shifts after long-distance dispersal events in bipolar sedges (Carex, Cyperaceae).

Bipolar species represent the greatest biogeographical disjunction on Earth, raising many questions about the colonization and adaptive processes behind such striking distribution. We investigated climatic niche differences of five Carex bipolar species in North and South America to assess niche shifts between these two regions. Moreover, we assessed potential distribution changes with future climate change. We used 1202 presence data points from herbarium specimens and 19 bioclimatic variables to assess climatic niche differences and potential distributions among the five species using ordination methods and Maxent. The niche overlap analyses showed low levels of niche filling and high climatic niche expansion between North and South America. Carex macloviana and C. maritima showed the greatest niche expansion (60% and 96%, respectively), followed by C. magellanica (45%) and C. microglochin (39%). Only C. canescens did not colonize new environments (niche expansion = 0.2%). In contrast, all species but C. magellanica had niche filling that was <40%; hence, they are absent in the south from many environments they inhabit in North America. Climate change will push all species toward higher latitudes and elevation, reducing the availability of suitable environments. The colonization of South America seems to have involved frequent climatic niche shifts. Most species have colonized new environments from those occupied in the North. Observed niche shifts appear congruent with time since colonization and with current genetic structure within species. In these cold-dwelling species, climate change will most likely decrease their suitable environments in the future.

Evolutionarily significant units of the critically endangered leaf frog Pithecopus ayeaye (Anura, Phyllomedusidae) are not effectively preserved by the Brazilian protected areas network.

Protected areas (PAs) are essential for biodiversity conservation, but their coverage is considered inefficient for the preservation of all species. Many species are subdivided into evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) and the effectiveness of PAs in protecting them needs to be investigated. We evaluated the usefulness of the Brazilian PAs network in protecting ESUs of the critically endangered Pithecopus ayeaye through ongoing climate change. This species occurs in a threatened mountaintop ecosystem known as campos rupestres. We used multilocus DNA sequences to delimit geographic clusters, which were further validated as ESUs with a coalescent approach. Ecological niche modeling was used to estimate spatial changes in ESUs’ potential distributions, and a gap analysis was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the Brazilian PAs network to protect P. ayeaye in the face of climate changes. We tested the niche overlap between ESUs to gain insights for potential management alternatives for the species. Pithecopus ayeaye contains at least three ESUs isolated in distinct mountain regions, and one of them is not protected by any PA. There are no climatic niche differences between the units, and only 4% of the suitable potential area of the species is protected in present and future projections. The current PAs are not effective in preserving the intraspecific diversity of P. ayeaye in its present and future range distributions. The genetic structure of P. ayeaye could represent a typical pattern in campos rupestres endemics, which should be considered for evaluating its conservation status.

Rapid genetic and ecological differentiation during the northern range expansion of the venomous yellow sac spider Cheiracanthium punctorium in Europe.

Although poleward range expansions are commonly attributed to global change, a complex interaction of ecological and evolutionary factors might contribute to expansion success. Here, we study the expansion of the yellow sac spider Cheiracanthium punctorium, a medically important species in Central Europe. Using microsatellite markers and DNA sequences, morphological and climate niche analyses, we identify factors associated with the spider's expansion success. Our results indicate that the species' initial expansion has been triggered by environmental change and preadaptation in the source populations. However, despite extensive gene flow, expanding populations maintain genetic and morphological differentiation from native ones, which is correlated with climatic niche differences. Moreover, expanding spiders might have temporarily escaped an eggsac parasite that causes high mortality in the native range. Hence, our results paint a complex picture of diverse factors associated with expansion success. We speculate that expanding populations might be capable of adapting to novel ecological conditions in northern Europe. This could allow a substantial range expansion, much farther than by environmental change alone. Our distribution model predicts that the spider will soon massively spread over most of northern Europe, bringing along considerable health concerns.

Climatic Niche Characterization of 13 North AmericanVitisSpecies

Climate change models predict that sites suitable for vineyards will shift over the next 50 years. In part through rootstocks and hybrid scions bred from North American Vitis species, cultivated grapevines can thrive in a variety of environments. However, relatively little is known about the range of climatic conditions under which natural populations of native North American Vitis species occur. In this study, we use geographic information system data to describe the climatic niches of 13 North American Vitis species that are distributed east of the Rocky Mountains and to compare climatic niches in a phylogenetic context. We extracted bioclimatic data from thousands of locality points and performed univariate and multivariate statistical analyses for each Vitis species. We then used these data to determine if phylogenetic relatedness was associated with similarities or differences in climatic niches. Finally, we performed Maxent modeling and multivariate environmental similarity surfaces analysis to identify suitable climate space for each species throughout the United States. Our results indicate Vitis species occur under a wide range of climatic conditions, including warm and wet (V. shuttleworthii), warm and dry (V. mustangensis), cold and wet (V. labrusca), and cold and dry (V. riparia) climates. Some clades within Vitis exhibit similarities in their climatic niches (niche conservatism), while others include species with notably different climatic niches (niche divergence). Additionally, we identify novel geographic locations where some species could potentially flourish. These data provide valuable insights into the abiotic environments occupied by natural populations of North American grapevines and may be useful in the development of rootstock genotypes to suit specific climates now and in the future.

Climatic niche attributes and diversification inAnolislizards

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to test the link between climatic niche dynamics and species diversification inAnolison islands and on the mainland. We tested the hypotheses that lineages in warmer climates and with narrow climate niches diversified more than lineages in cold climates and with broad climate niches. We also tested the hypothesis that species‐rich clades exhibit greater niche diversity than species‐poor clades.LocationNeotropics.MethodsWe collated occurrence records for 328Anolisspecies to estimate niche breadth, niche position and occupied niche space (as a proxy for niche diversity). We compared niche breadth between insular and mainlandAnolisspecies and amongAnolisclades, controlling for the potential confounding effect of range size. Using two approaches (clade‐based and QuaSSE) we explored the association between niche metrics and diversification rates inAnolislizards.ResultsWe found that CaribbeanAnolishad a narrower niche breadth and niche space occupation compared to mainland anoles after controlling for range size differences. There was a significant association between niche traits (mean niche position and niche breadth) and diversification in anoles. Anole lineages with narrow niche breadths and that occupy warmer areas exhibited higher speciation rates than those with broader niche breadths and that occupy cold areas. Similarly, clades with higher total diversification exhibit more niche diversity than clades with lower total diversification.Main conclusionsClimatic niche attributes play a role in anole diversification with some differences between mainland and insular anole lineages. Climatic niche differences between regions and clades likely are related to differences in niche evolutionary rates. This also suggests that climate plays a strong role in shaping species richness between and within mainland and islands.

Persistence of a potentially rare mammalian genus (Wyulda) provides evidence for areas of evolutionary refugia within the Kimberley, Australia

Understanding the evolutionary and ecological processes that have shaped current patterns of biodiversity is crucial in the planning and implementation of broad scale conservation management. The temporal and spatial pattern of diversity across a landscape can help identify areas that have acted as climatically stable refugia historically, or do so currently. This has important implications for conservation efforts that try to maximise the evolutionary potential of species, as well as maintaining existing biodiversity. Northern Australia has recently reported catastrophic species decline, particularly in mammals, due to a series of threats. Here we apply an integrative approach utilising molecular analyses and spatial modelling to determine whether disjunct populations of a potentially rare, endemic mammal, the scaly-tailed possum (Wyulda squamicaudata) exhibit differentiation associated with biogeographic barriers or a recent decline. Significant but low genetic differentiation between the east and west Kimberley populations was detected. Principal component analyses indicate potential climatic niche differences that could support recent localised adaptations. Climatic reconstructions back to the last glacial maximum (LGM) indicate areas of suitable habitat have substantially shifted through time for W. squamicaudata and suggest multiple areas of refugia across the Kimberley since the LGM. Further comparative research is required to establish a biogeographical framework that will assist in our understanding of processes that have shaped biodiversity in northern Australia and assist in conservation planning.