Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tracy M. M. Misiewicz, Tracey Simmons, Benjamin E. E. Carter, Paul V. A. Fine, Abigail J. J. Moore
Summary: The lowland Amazon rainforest has diverse tree species, with some playing a significant role in global ecosystem services as they are common and widespread. However, there are multiple clades existing within the dominant Amazonian tree species, including Protium subserratum, suggesting that they may not represent evolutionary cohesive units. These species complexes may undergo evolutionary transitions to become multiple range-restricted, specialist species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rui-Hong Wang, Zhao-Ping Yang, Zhi-Cheng Zhang, Hans Peter Comes, Zhe-Chen Qi, Pan Li, Cheng-Xin Fu
Summary: This study conducted a phylogeographic analysis of plants in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and surrounding regions, and found that the speciation and diversification of temperate steppes and deserts were closely related to the climate change during the Plio-Pleistocene period.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Weitao Chen, Nicolas Hubert, Yuefei Li, Denggao Xiang, Xingwei Cai, Shuli Zhu, Jiping Yang, Chuanjiang Zhou, Xinhui Li, Jie Li
Summary: Geographical scale affects the efficiency of DNA barcoding by influencing genetic distances and uncovering hidden diversity among species. A study on Culterinae subfamily provides new insights into taxonomic and phylogeographical aspects, revealing cryptic diversity and mismatches between morphological and molecular delimitations.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Diego J. Elias, Caleb D. McMahan, Kyle R. Piller
Summary: The study revealed hidden diversity within the Threadfin Shad, with two nuclear and three mitochondrial lineages, and four genetic clusters identified. The research findings suggest that the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt did not act as a biogeographic barrier for the Threadfin Shad.
Article
Ecology
Jake Goodall, Kristen Marie Westfall, Hildur Magnusdottir, Snaebjorn Palsson, Erla Bjork Ornolfsdottir, Zophonias O. Jonsson
Summary: Buccinum undatum, a subtidal gastropod in the North Atlantic, shows clear spatial genetic structure with high differentiation between Canadian and European populations, and weak but significant genetic structuring within Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and England. Genetic structure in Iceland is correlated with shell shape and color frequency, making this species a promising model for future genome-wide association studies.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ryan A. Folk, Michelle L. Gaynor, Nicholas J. Engle-Wrye, Brian C. O'Meara, Pamela S. Soltis, Douglas E. Soltis, Robert P. Guralnick, Stephen A. Smith, Charles J. Grady, Yudai Okuyama
Summary: Applications of molecular phylogenetic approaches have revealed evidence of hybridization across various clades of life. This study focuses on the Heuchereae clade in Saxifragaceae and uses a combination of nuclear and chloroplast data to confirm previous hybridization events and identify a new one. The results suggest that past climate change and species' ecological strategies play important roles in shaping patterns of range contact and opportunities for hybridization.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhen Yang, Wen-Xu Ma, Xin He, Tian-Tian Zhao, Xiao-Hong Yang, Lu-Jun Wang, Qing-Hua Ma, Li-Song Liang, Gui-Xi Wang
Summary: This study investigated the nucleotide diversity and interspecific divergence within the Corylus heterophylla complex and found significant differences between different taxa. The results also revealed the relationship between geographical distributions and adaptive evolution in these taxa.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Edward A. Myers, Henrique Folly, Eric Ragalzi, Renato Neves Feio, Diego Jose Santana
Summary: The causes of population genetic divergence within the Atlantic Forest are diverse, with studies on a species endemic to the region revealing three distinct lineages that diverged during the Pliocene. However, no association was found between genetic divergence and various variables such as ecological niche models, riverine barriers, elevation, slope, or current climate in explaining lineage formation in the Rio Doce Snouted Treefrog. Additional phylogeographic studies of narrowly endemic species within the Atlantic Forest are recommended to further understand diversification drivers and biodiversity accumulation.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yessica Rico, M. Angel Leon-Tapia, Marisol Zurita-Solis, Flor Rodriguez-Gomez, Suria Gisela Vasquez-Morales
Summary: The study revealed complex genetic structure and historical evolution of Magnolia tree species in the Tropical Montane Cloud Forests of Mexico, influenced by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Environmental factors played a crucial role in genetic differentiation, with demographic expansions predating the Last Interglacial period. Conservation management of genetically diverse populations in remnant forest fragments in the three TMCF regions is essential for the protection of these Magnolia populations.
Article
Ecology
Peter J. Unmack, Benjamin D. Cook, Jerald B. Johnson, Michael P. Hammer, Mark Adams
Summary: Despite being the most common and widely distributed genus of freshwater fish in eastern Australia, the carp gudgeons of eastern Australia (genus Hypseleotris) have posed taxonomic and ecological challenges to scientists since the 19th century. Recent molecular studies have shed light on the complex biology and evolutionary history of this species, revealing a sexual/unisexual complex and co-occurrence with the western carp gudgeon (H. klunzingeri). This study provides a detailed molecular phylogeographic assessment of the western carp gudgeon and demonstrates taxonomic and phylogeographic complexity. The results highlight the presence of multiple candidate species and a natural hybrid zone, providing a framework for future research on this important species.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Clara Ribeiro Porto, Cecil Pergentino Fazolato, Ricardo Marques, Henrique Batalha-Filho, Marcelo Felgueiras Napoli, Adrian Antonio Garda, Maria Luiza Silveira de Carvalho, Flora Maria de Campos Fernandes
Summary: Studies on the diversity of South American biota have found that ecological and geological events play a crucial role in species diversification. The Miocene-Pliocene topographic events were particularly significant in influencing the diversification of the dwarf swamp frog, Pseudopaludicola mystacalis, while Pleistocene climatic oscillations also had an impact on its evolutionary history.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Leonardo S. Miranda, Bernardo O. Prestes, Alexandre Aleixo
Summary: The study found that the two species of the genus Cymbilaimus underwent recent rapid diversification, with incomplete lineage sorting and gene flow shaping their evolutionary history. Cymbilaimus originated in the northwestern portion of South America, then diversified into the Brazilian Shield and Central America; over the past 1.2 million years, they experienced cycles of expansion, dispersal, isolation, and recurrent gene flow.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Mamathashree Mandya Naganayak, Suresh Kuralayanapalya Puttahonnappa, Uma Bharathi Indrabalan, Krishnamoorthy Paramanandham, Siju Susan Jacob, Saravanan Subramaniam, Sharanagouda S. Patil, Kumar Seethakempanahalli Kempanna, Sheshakumar Goroshi
Summary: This study investigates the molecular evolutionary pattern of FMDV serotypes circulating in India and establishes a comprehensive relationship between climatic factors and FMDV evolution. It reveals that codon usage bias, evolutionary rates, and phylogeographic analysis are influenced by mutational and selection pressure, indicating the major role of climatic/environmental factors in FMDV co-evolution and adaptation.
