Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters
Abstract Background Darwin and others proposed that a species’ geographic range size positively influences speciation likelihood, with the relationship potentially dependent on the mode of speciation and other contributing factors, including geographic setting and species traits. Several alternative...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-022-02041-6 |
| _version_ | 1818242566854803456 |
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| author | Eleanor M. Hay Matthew D. McGee Steven L. Chown |
| author_facet | Eleanor M. Hay Matthew D. McGee Steven L. Chown |
| author_sort | Eleanor M. Hay |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Darwin and others proposed that a species’ geographic range size positively influences speciation likelihood, with the relationship potentially dependent on the mode of speciation and other contributing factors, including geographic setting and species traits. Several alternative proposals for the influence of range size on speciation rate have also been made (e.g. negative or a unimodal relationship with speciation). To examine Darwin’s proposal, we use a range of phylogenetic comparative methods, focusing on a large Australasian bird clade, the honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae). Results We consider the influence of range size, shape, and position (latitudinal and longitudinal midpoints, island or continental species), and consider two traits known to influence range size: dispersal ability and body size. Applying several analytical approaches, including phylogenetic Bayesian path analysis, spatiophylogenetic models, and state-dependent speciation and extinction models, we find support for both the positive relationship between range size and speciation rate and the influence of mode of speciation. Conclusions Honeyeater speciation rate differs considerably between islands and the continental setting across the clade’s distribution, with range size contributing positively in the continental setting, while dispersal ability influences speciation regardless of setting. These outcomes support Darwin’s original proposal for a positive relationship between range size and speciation likelihood, while extending the evidence for the contribution of dispersal ability to speciation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:47:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2caa3397ac114b5a9a01e69f8ce7d36c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2730-7182 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T13:47:16Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-2caa3397ac114b5a9a01e69f8ce7d36c2022-12-22T00:22:39ZengBMCBMC Ecology and Evolution2730-71822022-06-0122111410.1186/s12862-022-02041-6Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeatersEleanor M. Hay0Matthew D. McGee1Steven L. Chown2School of Biological Sciences, Monash UniversitySchool of Biological Sciences, Monash UniversitySchool of Biological Sciences, Monash UniversityAbstract Background Darwin and others proposed that a species’ geographic range size positively influences speciation likelihood, with the relationship potentially dependent on the mode of speciation and other contributing factors, including geographic setting and species traits. Several alternative proposals for the influence of range size on speciation rate have also been made (e.g. negative or a unimodal relationship with speciation). To examine Darwin’s proposal, we use a range of phylogenetic comparative methods, focusing on a large Australasian bird clade, the honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae). Results We consider the influence of range size, shape, and position (latitudinal and longitudinal midpoints, island or continental species), and consider two traits known to influence range size: dispersal ability and body size. Applying several analytical approaches, including phylogenetic Bayesian path analysis, spatiophylogenetic models, and state-dependent speciation and extinction models, we find support for both the positive relationship between range size and speciation rate and the influence of mode of speciation. Conclusions Honeyeater speciation rate differs considerably between islands and the continental setting across the clade’s distribution, with range size contributing positively in the continental setting, while dispersal ability influences speciation regardless of setting. These outcomes support Darwin’s original proposal for a positive relationship between range size and speciation likelihood, while extending the evidence for the contribution of dispersal ability to speciation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-022-02041-6AllopatryIslandsMacroecologyMeliphagidaeSpeciation modeGeographic range |
| spellingShingle | Eleanor M. Hay Matthew D. McGee Steven L. Chown Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters BMC Ecology and Evolution Allopatry Islands Macroecology Meliphagidae Speciation mode Geographic range |
| title | Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters |
| title_full | Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters |
| title_fullStr | Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters |
| title_short | Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters |
| title_sort | geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters |
| topic | Allopatry Islands Macroecology Meliphagidae Speciation mode Geographic range |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-022-02041-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT eleanormhay geographicrangesizeandspeciationinhoneyeaters AT matthewdmcgee geographicrangesizeandspeciationinhoneyeaters AT stevenlchown geographicrangesizeandspeciationinhoneyeaters |