Persistent Plethodontid Themes: Species, Phylogenies, and Biogeography

Wake, David B.

doi:10.1655/herpetologica-d-16-00065

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Despite ongoing calls for taxonomic standardization and stability 29,30 , species also represent scientific hypotheses that are sometimes revisited, refuted, or revalidated 31,32 . Our models therefore are not able to distinguish operational definitions of valid species and the potential heterogeneous associations arising from variable practices around, e.g., recognizing cryptic species or splits 33 . There may also be parts of the multivariate predictor space that lack data to inform the model and thus miss actual discovery opportunities.…”

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confidence: 96%

Shortfalls and opportunities in terrestrial vertebrate species discovery

2021

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Meter-resolution imagery of our world and myriad biodiversity records collected through citizen scientists and automated sensors belie the fact that much of the planet's biodiversity remains undiscovered. Conservative estimates suggest only 13 to 18% of all living species may be known at this point [1][2][3][4] , although this number could be as low as 1.5% 5 . This biodiversity shortfall 6,7 strongly impedes the sustainable management of our planet's resources, as the potential ecological and economic relevance of undiscovered species remains unrecognized 8 . Here we use model-based predictions of terrestrial vertebrate species discovery to estimate future taxonomic and geographic discovery opportunities. Our model identifies distinct taxonomic and geographic unevenness in future discovery potential, with greatest opportunities for amphibians and reptiles and for Neotropical and IndoMalayan forests. Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Colombia emerge as holding greatest discovery opportunities, with a quarter of future species descriptions expected there. These findings highlight the significance of international support for taxonomic

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confidence: 96%

Shortfalls and opportunities in terrestrial vertebrate species discovery

2021

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“…At the same time, a high degree of phenotypic and ecological conservatism is also common (Kozak & Wiens, ; Wake et al., ). In such situations, species formation is often achieved by fragmentation, or non‐adaptive radiation, whereby species originate and expand their range, then slowly disintegrate on the landscape (Rundell & Price, ; Wake, ). Introgressive hybridization from repeated instances of isolation followed by secondary contact (even the anastomosis of formerly isolated lineages) can further complicate the interpretation of genetic data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disintegrating over space and time: Paraphyly and species delimitation in the Wehrle's Salamander complex

2018

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Accurate species delimitation is critical for biodiversity studies. However, species complexes characterized by introgression, high levels of population structure and subtle phenotypic differentiation can be challenging to delimit. Here, we report on a molecular systematic investigation of the woodland salamanders Plethodon wehrlei and Plethodon punctatus, which traditionally have been placed in the Plethodon wehrlei species group. To quantify patterns of genetic variation, we collected genetic samples from throughout the range of both species, including 22 individuals from nine populations of P. punctatus, and 60 individuals from 26 populations of P. wehrlei. From these samples, we sequenced three mtDNA loci (5596 base pairs) and five nuclear loci (3377 base pairs). We inferred time-calibrated gene trees and species trees using BEAST 2.4.6, and we delimited putative species using a Bayesian implementation of the general mixed Yule-coalescent model (bGMYC) and STRUCTURE.Finally, we validated putative species using the multispecies coalescent as implemented in Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP). We found substantial phylogeographic diversity in P. wehrlei, including multiple geographically cohesive clades and an inferred mitochondrial common ancestor at 11.5 myr (95% HPD: 9.6-13.6 myr) that separated populations formerly assigned to P. dixi from all other populations. We also found that P. punctatus is deeply nested within P. wehrlei, rendering the latter paraphyletic. After discussing the challenges faced by modern species delimitation methods, we recommend retaining P. punctatus because it is ecologically and phenotypically distinct. We further recommend that P. dixi be recognized as a valid species. |KUCHTA eT Al.

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“…Molecular methods have led to a surge in the discovery of cryptic species of salamanders (Wake, 2017). Many species have gone unnoticed because of morphological convergence or stasis.…”

Section: Congruence Of Molecular and Morphometric Datasetsmentioning

confidence: 99%