Uncovering the evolutionary trajectories of species assemblages can provide fascinating insights into the past environmental and geological processes, as well as the biological traits, that have led to present day diversity patterns. Furthermore, time-calibrated phylogenies can shed light on the historical sequence and timing of speciation events which, in turn, can be used to complement geological models aimed at reconstructing the formation of the earth. In our paper published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, we focus on the Melanesian radiation of bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus), a clade occurring throughout New Guinea and adjacent islands, and Australia’s tropical northeast. We examine the sequence and timing of diversification in Australo-Papuan Cyrtodactylus and investigated three biogeographic scenarios. Firstly, did Cyrtodactylus diversification originate on the Australian Craton or former proto-Papuan islands to the north. Secondly, does Australo-Papuan Cyrtodactylus diversity correlate with distinct geological regions and to what degree do they exhibit infra-regional clustering. Lastly, to what extent did New Guinea mountain uplift impact Cyrtodactylus diversification and if so when did this occur.
Cyrtodactylus serratus (Photo S. Richards)
| We found that in addition to 28 recognised Australo-Papuan Cyrtodactylus species, there were ten distinct lineages that we consider candidate species. Our ancestral-state analyses support the early origin and diversification of Australo-Papuan Cyrtodactylus on the proto-Papuan islands, and indicate that once insular lineages arrived to New Guinea following the accretion of their associate island onto the mainland’s northern margin. We found a high degree of phylogenetic clustering within the regions and found compelling evidence that the East-Papuan Composite Terrane (or south-eastern Papuan Peninsula) has played a long-term important role in the accumulation of New Guinean Cyrtodactylus. Finally, we identified that the Late-Miocene uplift of New Guineas Central Cordillera was responsible for isolating north-south lineages and mediated the accumulation of diversity in a manner consistent with that observed in other tropical mountain regions. |  Cyrtodactylus epiroticus (Photo Oliver Tallowin) |
Geographic distribution of each of the nine major lineages are illustrated with corresponding colors on the two maps, and specimen representatives of each lineage shown on the right.
Author: Oliver Tallowin
RSS Feed
