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Patterns of endemism and species richness in Malagasy cophyline frogs support a key role of mountainous areas for speciation

Wollenberg, Katharina C.; Vieites, David R.; Van Der Meijden, Arie; Glaw, Frank; Cannatella, David C.; Vences, Miguel

Authors

Katharina C. Wollenberg

David R. Vieites

Arie Van Der Meijden

Frank Glaw

David C. Cannatella

Miguel Vences



Abstract

Cophyline narrow-mouthed frogs (Anura: Microhylidae) are a diverse endemic radiation of Madagascar. Cophylines contain a high proportion of range restricted species and constitute a good model system to understand patterns of evolutionary diversification in tropical ecosystems. We combine spatial and phylogenetic analyses for a near-complete taxon sample to test competing explanations for patterns of species richness (SR) and endemism. Our reconstruction of the phylogeny of cophylines indicates the presence of 22 new species and several instances of nonmonophyly. We found a strong historical signal in current cophyline ranges indicating a high degree of spatial niche conservatism in clade diversification, with clades occurring in the North of Madagascar constituting the most derived in the phylogeny. We identified six positively correlated centers of SR and endemism that can neither be explained by stochastic models such as elevational or latitudinal mid-domain effect, nor by low-elevation river catchments. Instead, the locations of these centers in areas spanning a high altitudinal range in combination with specific climatic parameters support a key role of mountainous areas for speciation of these anurans, although we cannot exclude an influence of habitat loss due to human impact. High conservation priority is ascribed to these areas. © 2008 The Author(s).

Citation

Wollenberg, K. C., Vieites, D. R., Van Der Meijden, A., Glaw, F., Cannatella, D. C., & Vences, M. (2008). Patterns of endemism and species richness in Malagasy cophyline frogs support a key role of mountainous areas for speciation. Evolution, 62(8), 1890-1907. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2008.00420.x

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 16, 2008
Online Publication Date May 13, 2008
Publication Date Aug 1, 2008
Deposit Date Jun 7, 2021
Journal Evolution
Print ISSN 0014-3820
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 62
Issue 8
Pages 1890-1907
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2008.00420.x
Keywords Amphibia; Cophylinae; Hotspot; Madagascar; Phylogeography; Microhylidae
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3633883