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Abstract AimThe standard latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), in which species richness decreases from equator to pole, is a pervasive pattern observed in most organisms. Some lineages, however, exhibit inverse LDGs. Seemingly problematic, documenting and studying contrarian groups can advance understanding of LDGs generally. Here, we identify one such contrarian clade and use a historical approach to evaluate alternative hypotheses that might explain the group's atypical diversity pattern. We focus on the biogeographical conservatism hypothesis (BCH) and the diversification rate hypothesis (DRH). LocationGlobal. TaxonAnts (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Stenammini). MethodsWe examined the shape of the LDG in Stenammini by plotting latitudinal midpoints for all extant, described species. We inferred a robust genome‐scale phylogeny using UCE data. We estimated divergence dates using beast2 and tested several biogeographical models inBioGeoBEARS. To examine diversification rates and test for a correlation between rate and latitude, we used the programs BAMM and STRAPP, respectively. ResultsStenammini has a skewed inverse LDG with a richness peak in the northern temperate zone. Phylogenomic analyses revealed five major clades and several instances of non‐monophyly among genera (Goniomma,Aphaenogaster). Stenammini and all its major lineages arose in the northern temperate zone. The tribe originated ~51 Ma during a climatic optimum and then diversified and dispersed southward as global climate cooled. Stenammini invaded the tropics at least seven times, but these events occurred more recently and were not linked with increased diversification. There is evidence for a diversification rate increase in HolarcticAphaenogaster + Messor, but we found no significant correlation between latitude and diversification rate generally. Main ConclusionsOur results largely support the BCH as an explanation for the inverse latitudinal gradient in Stenammini. The clade originated in the Holarctic and likely became more diverse there due to center‐of‐origin, time‐for‐speciation and niche conservatism effects, rather than latitudinal differences in diversification rate.
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Time for speciation and niche conservatism explain the latitudinal diversity gradient in clupeiform fishes
Abstract AimThe latitudinal diversity gradient of increasing species richness from poles to equator is one of the most striking and pervasive spatial patterns of biodiversity. Climate appears to have been key to the formation of the latitudinal diversity gradient, but the processes through which climate shaped species richness remain unclear. We tested predictions of the time for speciation, carrying capacity and diversification rate latitudinal diversity gradient hypotheses in a trans‐marine/freshwater clade of fishes. LocationGlobal in marine and freshwater environments. TaxonClupeiformes (anchovies, herrings, sardines and relatives). MethodsWe tested predictions of latitudinal diversity gradient hypotheses using a molecular phylogeny, species distribution data and phylogenetic comparative approaches. To test the time for speciation hypothesis, we conducted ancestral state reconstructions to infer the ages of temperate, subtropical and tropical lineages and frequency of evolutionary transitions between climates. We tested the carry capacity hypothesis by characterizing changes in net diversification rates through time. To test the diversification rate hypothesis, we qualitatively compared the diversification rates of temperate, subtropical and tropical lineages and conducted statistical tests for associations between latitude and diversification rates. ResultsWe identified four transitions to temperate climates and two transitions out of temperate climates. We found no differences in diversification rates among temperate and tropical clupeiforms. Net diversification rates remained positive in crown Clupeiformes since their origin ~150 Ma in both tropical and temperate lineages. Climate niche characters exhibited strong phylogenetic signal. All temperate clupeiform lineages arose <50 Ma, after the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum. Main conclusionsOur results support the time for speciation hypothesis, which proposes that climate niche conservatism and fluctuations in the extent of temperate climates limited the time for species to accumulate in temperate climates, resulting in the latitudinal diversity gradient. We found no support for the carrying capacity or diversification rate hypotheses.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1754627
- PAR ID:
- 10496778
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Biogeography
- Volume:
- 49
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 0305-0270
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1952 to 1966
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14465
