ABSTRACT AimThe aim of the current study is to conduct a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the genusArbaciato elucidate the evolution and phylogenetic relationships among all extant species and reevaluate the presence of geographic structure within species that have wide, fragmented distributions. LocationSpecimens ofArbaciawere collected from 34 localities spanning the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea. MethodsWe obtained sequences from three mitochondrial markers (COI, 16S and the control region and adjacent tRNAs) and two nuclear markers (28S and 18S; the latter ultimately excluded from the final analyses). Phylogenetic trees were constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches. A time‐calibrated phylogenetic tree was inferred using a relaxed Bayesian molecular clock and three fossil calibration points. ResultsOur analysis supports the monophyly of the genusArbacia, including the speciesArbacia nigra(previously assigned to the monotypic genusTetrapygus). The new phylogenetic topology suggests an alternative biogeographic scenario of initial divergence between Atlantic and Pacific subclades occurring approximately 9 million years ago. The dispersal and subsequent diversification of the Pacific subclade to the southeast Pacific coincides with the onset of glacial and interglacial cycles in Patagonia. In the Atlantic subclade, the split betweenA. punctulataandA. lixulaoccurred 3.01–6.30 (median 3.74 million years ago), possibly associated with the strengthening of the Gulf Stream current connecting the western and eastern Atlantic. Our study also reveals significant genetic and phylogeographic structures within both Atlantic species, indicating ongoing differentiation processes between populations. Main ConclusionOur study provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history and biogeography of the genusArbaciaand highlights the complex interplay between historical climate changes and oceanic currents in shaping the distribution and diversification of echinoids in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
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From Gondwana to GAAR landia: Evolutionary history and biogeography of ogre‐faced spiders ( Deinopis )
Abstract AimWe explore the evolutionary history of the ogre‐faced spiders (Deinopis) from their Early Cretaceous origins to present day. Specifically, we investigate how vicariance and dispersal have shaped distribution patterns of this lineage. Within the Caribbean, we test the role ofGAARlandia, a hypothesized land bridge that connected South America to the Greater Antilles during the Eocene–Oligocene transition (~35–33 Ma), in the biogeography ofDeinopis. TaxonAraneae: Deinopidae:Deinopis. LocationCaribbean islands, with additional global exemplars. MethodsCombining standard Sanger sequence data with an Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) phylogenomic dataset, we use Bayesian inference to estimate the phylogenetic relationships ofDeinopis. “BioGeoBEARS” is used to test theGAARlandia hypothesis, and to pinpoint major dispersal events in the biogeographic history ofDeinopis. ResultsThe phylogeny supports the nesting of a Caribbean clade within a continental grade. Model comparisons indicateGAARlandia as the best fitting model, and the biogeographic analyses reflect the geologic history within the Caribbean. Ancient and recent overwater dispersal events are also indicated within this lineage. There is also an ancient 113 Ma split into Old and New World clades. Main ConclusionsTheDeinopisphylogeny corresponds well with geography. This is reflected in the support for theGAARlandia land bridge hypothesis and the phylogenetic relationships within and among Caribbean islands mirroring nuances of Caribbean geologic history. Overwater dispersal also plays an important role in the biogeographic history of this lineage as implicated in the colonization of the volcanic and sedimentary Lesser Antilles and in a “reverse” colonization of North America. The spider family Deinopidae is an ancient lineage with origins dating back to Gondwana. While overwater dispersal has clearly played a role in the biogeography of the genus, theDeinopisphylogeny bears a strong signature of ancient geological events.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1311494
- PAR ID:
- 10555730
- Publisher / Repository:
- Journal of Biogeography
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Biogeography
- Volume:
- 45
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 0305-0270
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2442 to 2457
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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