Large ‐scale phylogenetic structure of European springtails (Collembola) depends on species range size and postglacial colonization history

The postglacial European colonization history has come into the focus of biogeographical interest and the study of phylogenetic relatedness within and between regional faunas and floras has proven to be an effective tool for the reconstruction of postglacial colonization trajectories. In the present study, we used a faunal compilation of 2078 European springtail species and data on taxonomic relatedness to investigate whether phylogenetic diversity increases along the gradients from southern glacial refugia towards northern Europe and also whether glacial refugia are phylogenetically segregated, as predicted by models of glacial evolutionary processes and postglacial colonization. In addition, we investigated whether species of restricted range sizes differ in phylogenetic diversity from widespread species as expected by niche models. Proportions of species with restricted range size were highest in glacial refugia, particularly in Spain, as well as on Northern European islands. We found contrasting latitudinal gradients of phylogenetic diversity decreasing in widespread species and increasing in restricted species. Endemic relatedness was negatively correlated with island size. Peaks of phylogenetic diversity in the Pannonian regions and on islands far north indicate a faunal contribution from several glacial refugia and additional refugia north of the Alps, respectively. High phylogenetic clustering in the Iberian Peninsula corroborates models of glacial speciation pulses w...

Source: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society - October 31, 2016 Category: Research Authors: Cristina Fiera, Jan Christian Habel, Mieczys ław Kunz, Werner Ulrich Tags: Research Article Source Type: research