Evolutionary novelty is concentrated at the edge of coral species distributions.
Science
; 328(5985): 1558-61, 2010 Jun 18.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20558718
ABSTRACT
Conservation priorities are calculated on the basis of species richness, endemism, and threats. However, areas ranked highly for these factors may not represent regions of maximal evolutionary potential. The relationship between geography and evolutionary innovation was analyzed in a dominant complex of Caribbean reef corals, in which morphological and genetic data concur on species differences. Based on geometric morphometrics of Pleistocene corals and genetically characterized modern colonies, we found that morphological disparity varies from the center to the edge of the Caribbean, and we show that lineages are static at well-connected central locations but split or fuse in edge zones where gene flow is limited. Thus, conservation efforts in corals should focus not only on the centers of diversity but also on peripheral areas of species ranges and population connectivity.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Antozoários
/
Biodiversidade
/
Evolução Biológica
/
Fósseis
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Barbados
/
Caribe ingles
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Science
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos