DOCSLIB.ORG

"Ring Species and Speciation"

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ring Species and Advanced article Speciation Article Contents . What is a Ring Species? Heath Blackmon, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA . Examples of Ring Species . Song Sparrow Jeffery P Demuth, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA . African Acacia . Why Are Ring Species Rare? Based in part on the previous version of this eLS article ‘Ring Species and Speciation’ (2005) by Jeffery P Demuth and Loren H Rieseberg. Relevance to How Geographic Variation Promotes Speciation Online posting date: 15th October 2012 A ring species is a monophyletic group whose range has intergrading populations except in one area, where a sharp extended around a geographic barrier to produce a ring- morphological discontinuity is found. However, closer shaped distribution. The populations that make up the scrutiny almost inevitably leads to the discovery of gaps in ring should be contiguous and without barriers to gene the distribution of populations around the ring. Moreover, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and protein analyses often flow anywhere in the ring except where the terminal detect cryptic barriers to gene flow, suggesting that speci- populations are sympatric but reproductively isolated ation is complete despite continuous morphological grad- from one another. Few, if any of the species that have been ation. Mayr (1963) recognised that many examples of ring described as ring species, actually meet all of these species did not fit his definition ‘in the most diagrammatic requirements. The best documented example of a species manner’. However, he maintained that it was the ability to that exhibits all of these traits is the greenish warbler follow the process of speciation step by step that made ring complex (Phylloscopus trochiloides). However, even species species such a convincing demonstration of geographic like the herring gull complex or Ensatina salamanders that speciation. See also: Species and Speciation: An Overview fail to exhibit some of the characteristics of a true ring The term ring species persists primarily because most species offer opportunities to study important evo- authors have adopted an implicit definition of ring species lutionary processes. These species are particularly helpful that describes taxa in which intergrading geographic var- ieties are distributed in a ring with overlapping ends. In the in understanding how microevolutionary changes can area of overlap, two sympatric forms maintain their dis- create two unique species, how speciation can occur in tinct phenotypes. This is similar to the definition of Mayr spite of gene flow, and how geographic speciation with or (1963) but allows for more than one species to be recog- without adaptive divergence can occur. nised in the ring, and for discontinuity in the distribution of populations. Ring species is often used synonymously with ‘circular overlap’ in the literature. The term ‘rassenkreis’ is What is a Ring Species? also sometimes used in the context of ring species (Stebbins, 1949); however, rassenkreis is more appropriately syn- The perfect demonstration of speciation is presented by the onymous with ‘polytypic species’, which does not imply situation in which a chain of intergrading subspecies forms anything pertaining to geographic distribution. Finally, it a loop or overlapping circle of which the terminal links deserves emphasis that the importance of studying ring have become sympatric without interbreeding, even species is not that they demonstrate a particular mode of though they are connected by a complete chain of inter- speciation such as allopatric or parapatric. Rather, they grading or interbreeding populations (i.e. ‘ring species’) provide natural evidence that speciation has occurred and (Mayr, 1963). offer a means for reconstructing the process through study Most organisms designated as ring species do not of extant members of the ring. See also: Speciation: adhere to the rigorous definition suggested by Mayr. If Introduction; Sympatric Speciation examined on a coarse geographical scale, they typically do have the requisite circular distribution of morphologically Examples of Ring Species eLS subject area: Evolution & Diversity of Life In the following section the authors describe some classic How to cite: examples of ring species and some more recent ones. The Blackmon, Heath; and Demuth, Jeffery P (October 2012) Ring Species cases reviewed include classic examples outlined by Mayr and Speciation. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd: Chichester. (1963) in Animal Species and Evolution, newer examples DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0001751.pub3 reviewed by Irwin et al. (2001), and the first example of a eLS & 2012, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. www.els.net 1 Ring Species and Speciation possible Coleopteran ring species. Of the original 22 pro- xanthoptica and (4) coastal and interior populations fol- posed ring species, 15 were birds. Mayr (1963) attributes lowed different patterns of divergence in response to this to the maturity of avian taxonomy. In recent years, the different ecological factors. bias has been towards mammals. This taxonomic skew is reflected in the examples discussed below. New evidence Ensatina salamanders Based on Stebbins’ observations, Dobzhansky (1958) concluded that virtually the entire process of speciation Early hypotheses was evident in Ensatina, but that completion of speciation The salamanders of the genus Ensatina are probably the was inhibited by continued gene flow through the con- best known and most thoroughly studied of all ring species. tinuous string of interbreeding subspecies. Morphological, Prior to 1949, Ensatina contained four species (Ensatina behavioural, biochemical and molecular measures from eschscholtzii, Ensatina sierrae, Ensatina croceater and extensively surveyed locations throughout the Ensatina Ensatina platensis) of fully terrestrial, lungless salamanders complex range have since shown that Stebbins’ (1949) (family Plethodontidae). Beginning with a comprehensive biogeographical hypothesis is too simple, and speciation is study of colouration and morphology by Stebbins (1949), no longer prevented by persistent gene flow (Brown, 1974; E. eschscholtzii has been subdivided into seven subspecies. Wake and Yanev, 1986; Moritz et al., 1992; Jackman and The seven subspecies encircle the Central Valley of Cali- Wake, 1994; Wake, 1997; Wake and Schneider, 1998; fornia. Three unblotched subspecies (oregonensis, xan- Pereira et al., 2011). However, Stebbins’ hypothesis has not thoptica and eschscholtzii) ring the coastal side of the valley, been falsified in a general sense. For example, allozyme three blotched subspecies (platensis, croceater and klau- variation is highest in the northern part of the range and beri) complete the ring along the interior Sierra Nevada genetic distances between pairs of populations from across Mountains and an intermediate ‘mottled’ subspecies the Central Valley generally increase from north to south (picta) is found north of the valley along the California– (Wake and Yanev, 1986), both of which are predicted by Oregon coast (Figure 1). In addition to the obvious mor- Stebbins’ hypothesis. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis phological gradation, extensive collecting (Stebbins, 1949) of cytochrome b (cyt b) haplotypes showed that croceater, demonstrated that subspecies freely interbreed in northern klauberi and southern populations of platensis form a California, but hybridise only occasionally where xan- monophyletic group (i.e. a group that includes all des- thoptica crosses the valley in central California (Figure 1). cendants of a common ancestor), as do xanthoptica and Where the two subspecies eschscholtzii and klauberi meet in eschscholtzii. Monophyly of these southern segments of the southern California they occur microsympatrically with- ring is consistent with independent southward dispersal out interbreeding. Based on this information, Stebbins along opposite sides of the valley (Moritz et al., 1992). (1949) hypothesised that (1) the species originated in forests See also: Biogeographical Regions; Speciation: Genetics near the California–Oregon border from a picta-like Although the predicted correlation of geographic dis- ancestor; (2) populations dispersed southwards along both tance with genetic and morphological divergence largely sides of the Central Valley during times of increased holds at a macrogeographic scale, exceptions are found at a humidity; (3) interior populations of xanthoptica were the finer scale (Jackman and Wake, 1994). Perhaps the most result of a Pleistocene transvalley invasion from coastal striking exception involves populations from the northern part of the platensis range. Specifically, in the area near Lassen Peak (Figure 1) there is a sharp transition in the genetic and morphological data between the unblotched and blotched forms. There is also a morphologically cryptic boundary to gene flow that separates northern platensis from southern platensis populations. Jackman and Wake (1994) interpret this genetic structure, which contradicts the classical model of steady north to south population expansion, as evidence that northern platensis is the prod- uct of introgression between southern platensis and ore- gonensis. In their view, the southern boundary is due to ancient vicariance; whereas, the presently distinct transi- tion between oregonensis and northern platensis is due to geologically recent volcanism and glaciations that caused repeated extinction and recolonisation. Historical biogeography also poses
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2008 Amphibian Distribution Surveys in Wadeable Streams and Ponds in Western and Southeast Oregon
    INFORMATION REPORTS NUMBER 2010-05 FISH DIVISION Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2008 Amphibian Distribution Surveys in Wadeable Streams and Ponds in Western and Southeast Oregon Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against as described above in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire further information, please contact ADA Coordinator, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 3406 Cherry Drive NE, Salem, OR, 503-947-6000. This material will be furnished in alternate format for people with disabilities if needed. Please call 541-757-4263 to request 2008 Amphibian Distribution Surveys in Wadeable Streams and Ponds in Western and Southeast Oregon Sharon E. Tippery Brian L. Bangs Kim K. Jones Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Corvallis, OR November, 2010 This project was financed with funds administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants under contract T-17-1 and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Citation: Tippery, S. E., B. L Bangs and K. K. Jones. 2010. 2008 Amphibian Distribution Surveys in Wadeable Streams and Ponds in Western and Southeast Oregon. Information Report 2010-05, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Corvallis. CONTENTS FIGURES.......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • BACKGROUND ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT Existing Conditions | January 2020
    Thousand Oaks BACKGROUND ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT Existing Conditions | January 2020 EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT: BACKGROUND ENVIRONMENTAL Age, including mastodon, ground sloth, and saber-toothed cat CHAPTER 1: CULTURAL (City of Thousand Oaks 2011). RESOURCES Native American Era The earliest inhabitants of Southern California were transient hunters visiting the region approximately 12,000 B.C.E., who were the cultural ancestors of the Chumash. Evidence of significant and Cultural Setting continuous habitation of the Conejo Valley region began around The cultural history of the City of Thousand Oaks and the 5,500 B.C.E. Specifically, during the Millingstone (5,500 B.C.E – surrounding Conejo Valley can be divided in to three major eras: 1,500 B.C.E.) and the Intermediate (1,500 B.C.E. – 500 C.E.) Native-American, Spanish-Mexican, and Anglo-American. periods, the Conejo Valley experienced a year-round stable Remnants from these unique eras exist in the region as a diverse population of an estimated 400-600 people. During this time, range of tribal, archaeological and architectural resources. The people typically lived in largely open sites along water courses Conejo Valley served as an integral part of the larger Chumash and in caves and rock shelters; however, a number of site types territory that extended from the coast and Channel Islands to have been discovered, including permanent villages, semi- include Santa Barbara, most of Ventura, parts of San Luis Obispo, permanent seasonal stations, hunting camps and gathering Kern and Los Angeles Counties. The late 18th and early 19th localities focused on plant resources (City of Thousand Oaks 2011).
    [Show full text]
  • Maria Triantafyllidou
    The limits of species recognition: heterospecific song learning in pied flycatchers Maria Triantafyllidou Degree project in biology, Bachelor of science, 2016 Examensarbete i biologi 15 hp till kandidatexamen, 2016 Biology Education Centre and Department of Ecology and Genetics/Animal Ecology, Uppsala University Supervisors: Dr. Anna Qvarnström and Dr. David Wheatcroft ABSTRACT The closely related species pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) and collared flycatcher (F. albicollis) co-occur on the Swedish island of Öland, where they compete over similar resources. The majority of male pied flycatchers have been found to incorporate elements of the collared flycatcher song in their repertoire. Given that birdsong is partly inherited and partly learned, the relative contribution of genetic predispositions versus acoustic stimuli varies across different species. The results show that in pied flycatchers, song acquisition is tightly correlated with imprinting, and can therefore be greatly influenced by heterospecific tutors in their surroundings, i.e. male collared flycatchers. I found that pied males are capable of not only memorizing collared song elements, but also producing them with high fidelity. Thus, I infer that pied flycatchers are characterized by a high degree of vocal plasticity. INTRODUCTION The importance of sexual signals in speciation It is largely recognized that sexual signals play a key role in mate recognition as they indicate species identity and mate quality. It has been increasingly appreciated that they also play a significant role in patterns of speciation (Slabbekoorn and Smith 2002, Ritchie 2007, Verzijden et al. 2012). That is linked with the fact that sex traits evolve quickly and are therefore likely to diverge among closely related species, eventually leading to reproductive isolation (Qvarnström et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Biology Project Reports of Cleardale Station and Taniwha Farm, Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, New Zealand
    Conservation biology project reports of Cleardale Station and Taniwha Farm, Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, New Zealand Edited by Nick Dickinson & Mike Bowie Lincoln University Wildlife Management Report No. 73 2020 ©Department of Pest-management & Conservation, Lincoln University ISSN: 1179-7738 ISBN: 978-0-86476-451-5 Lincoln University Wildlife Management Report No. 73 September 2020 Conservation biology project reports of Cleardale Station and Taniwha Farm, Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury, New Zealand Cleardale Station looking towards Rakaia River (Photo: Tanmayi Pagadala) Edited by Nick Dickinson and Mike Bowie Department of Pest-management & Conservation, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Lincoln 7647 Email:[email protected] i Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................v List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... vi Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 Cleardale and Taniwha Stations ............................................................................................... 2 : Habitat Preference of Birds ................................................................................... 3 Fraser Gurney Abstract ...............................................................................................................................................3
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution and Stability of Ring Species
    Evolution and Stability of Ring Species 1 Ayana de Brito Martins Marcus A. M. de Aguiar 2,3 Yaneer Bar-Yam 3 1 Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo 2 Instituto de Física, Universidade Estadual de Campinas 3 New England Complex Systems Institute Ring Species REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION Ring species in nature Phylloscopus Irwin et al. 2005 Geographical barriers Geographical barriers POPULATION Geographical barriers Geographical barriers The model GENES AGENT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 POSITION IN SPACE X(AGENT), Y(AGENT) The model L CARRYING CAPACITY MUTATION RATE The model: Time evolution Tn Tn+1 DISCRETE GENERATIONS The model: Time evolution Tn Tn+1 DISCRETE GENERATION The model: Time evolution Tn Tn+1 DISCRETE GENERATIONS The model: Time evolution Tn Tn+1 DISCRETE GENERATIONS The model: Time evolution Tn Tn+1 Tn+2 DISCRETE GENERATIONS The model: population growth Tn Tn+1 The model: population growth Tn Tn+1 The model: population growth Tn Tn+1 The model: Reproduction BREEDING NEIGHBORHOOD S The model: Reproduction BREEDING NEIGHBORHOOD S The model: Reproduction THERE IS A CRITICAL GENETIC DISTANCE ABOVE WHICH INDIVIDUALS DO NOT REPRODUCE INDIVIDUAL 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 ... 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 NEIGHBOR 1 ≠ ≠ ≠ ≠ ≠ ≠ 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 ... 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 ADDITIVE EFFECT The model: Reproduction The model: Reproduction ! The model: Reproduction RECOMBINATION 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 ..
    [Show full text]
  • Beetles in a Suburban Environment: a New Zealand Case Study. The
    tl n brbn nvrnnt: lnd td tl n brbn nvrnnt: lnd td h Idntt nd tt f Clptr n th ntrl nd dfd hbtt f nfld Alnd (4-8 GKhl . : rh At SI lnt rttn Mnt Albrt rh Cntr rvt Alnd lnd • SI lnt rttn prt • EW EAA EAME O SCIEIIC A IUSIA ESEAC 199 O Ο Ν Ε W Ε Ν ttr Grnt rd Τ Ε Ρ Ο Ι Ο Τ ie wi e suo o a oey Sciece eseac Ga om e ew eaa oey Gas oa is suo is gaeuy ackowege Ρ EW EAA SI ' EAME O lnt SCIEIIC A rttn IUSIA Wāhn ESEAC Mn p Makig Sciece Wok o ew eaa KUSCE G eees i a suua eiome a ew eaa case suy e ieiy a saus o Coeoea i e aua a moiie aias o yie Aucka (197-199 / G Kusce — Aucka SI 199 (SI a oecio eo ISS 11-1 ; o3 IS -77-59- I ie II Seies UC 5957(93111 © Cow Coyig uise y SI a oecio M Ae eseac Cee iae ag Aucka ew eaa eceme 199 ie y Geea iig Seices eso ew eaa Etiam pristina in aua Asο i a aua seig summa securitas et futura sweet tranquility and nature ., OISIECE e oe-eeig emoyci eee ioycus uuus (ou o is aie ooca os kaikaea (acycaus acyioies om e yie eee suey aea Aucka ew eaa e wie gaues o e eee ae oe cuses a ass ees is eee as a eic saus o uike a o e uaaa (Seoo as ossi eiece sows a e weei gou was iig i uassic imes way ack i e ea o e iosaus a gymosems moe a 1 miio yeas ago OEWO As a small boy in the 1930s I used to collect butterflies on the South Downs in southern England.
    [Show full text]
  • Island Restoration: Seabirds, Predators, and the Importance of History
    AvailableBellingham on-line et al.: at: Island http://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje/ restoration 115 special issue: Feathers to Fur The ecological transformation of Aotearoa/New Zealand New Zealand island restoration: seabirds, predators, and the importance of history Peter J. Bellingham1*, David R. Towns2, Ewen K. Cameron3, Joe J. Davis4, David A. Wardle1, 5, Janet M. Wilmshurst1 and Christa P.H. Mulder6 1Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand 2Department of Conservation, Private Bag 68-908, Auckland, New Zealand 3Auckland Museum, Private Bag 92018, Auckland, New Zealand 4Ngāti Hei Trust, PO Box 250, Whitianga, New Zealand 5Department of Forest Vegetation Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S 901 83 Umeå, Sweden 6Department of Biology and Wildlife & Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA *Author for correspondence (Email: [email protected]) Published online: 6 October 2009 Abstract: New Zealand’s offshore and outlying islands have long been a focus of conservation biology as sites of local endemism and as last refuges for many species. During the c. 730 years since New Zealand has been settled by people, mammalian predators have invaded many islands and caused local and global extinctions. New Zealand has led international efforts in island restoration. By the late 1980s, translocations of threatened birds to predator-free islands were well under way to safeguard against extinction. Non-native herbivores and predators, such as goats and cats, had been eradicated from some islands. A significant development in island restoration in the mid-1980s was the eradication of rats from small forested islands. This eradication technology has been refined and currently at least 65 islands, including large and remote Campbell (11 216 ha) and Raoul (2938 ha) Islands, have been successfully cleared of rats.
    [Show full text]
  • Biology 2 Lab Packet for Practical 4
    1 Biology 2 Lab Packet For Practical 4 2 CLASSIFICATION: Domain: Eukarya Supergroup: Unikonta Clade: Opisthokonts Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata – Chordates Subphylum: Urochordata - Tunicates Class: Amphibia – Amphibians Subphylum: Cephalochordata - Lancelets Order: Urodela - Salamanders Subphylum: Vertebrata – Vertebrates Order: Apodans - Caecilians Superclass: Agnatha Order: Anurans – Frogs/Toads Order: Myxiniformes – Hagfish Class: Testudines – Turtles Order: Petromyzontiformes – Lamprey Class: Sphenodontia – Tuataras Superclass: Gnathostomata – Jawed Vertebrates Class: Squamata – Lizards/Snakes Class: Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous Fish Lizards Subclass: Elasmobranchii – Sharks, Skates and Rays Order: Lamniiformes – Great White Sharks Family – Agamidae – Old World Lizards Order: Carcharhiniformes – Ground Sharks Family – Anguidae – Glass Lizards Order: Orectolobiniformes – Whale Sharks Family – Chameleonidae – Chameleons Order: Rajiiformes – Skates Family – Corytophanidae – Helmet Lizards Order: Myliobatiformes - Rays Family - Crotaphytidae – Collared Lizards Subclass: Holocephali – Ratfish Family – Helodermatidae – Gila monster Order: Chimaeriformes - Chimaeras Family – Iguanidae – Iguanids Class: Sarcopterygii – Lobe-finned fish Family – Phrynosomatidae – NA Spiny Lizards Subclass: Actinistia - Coelocanths Family – Polychrotidae – Anoles Subclass: Dipnoi – Lungfish Family – Geckonidae – Geckos Class: Actinopterygii – Ray-finned Fish Family – Scincidae – Skinks Order: Acipenseriformes – Sturgeon, Paddlefish Family – Anniellidae
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Role of the Salamander Ensatina Eschscholtzii: Direct Impacts on the Arthropod Assemblage and Indirect Influence on the Carbon Cycle
    Ecological role of the salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii: direct impacts on the arthropod assemblage and indirect influence on the carbon cycle in mixed hardwood/conifer forest in Northwestern California By Michael Best A Thesis Presented to The faculty of Humboldt State University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Masters of Science In Natural Resources: Wildlife August 10, 2012 ABSTRACT Ecological role of the salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii: direct impacts on the arthropod assemblage and indirect influence on the carbon cycle in mixed hardwood/conifer forest in Northwestern California Michael Best Terrestrial salamanders are the most abundant vertebrate predators in northwestern California forests, fulfilling a vital role converting invertebrate to vertebrate biomass. The most common of these salamanders in northwestern California is the salamander Ensatina (Ensatina eschsccholtzii). I examined the top-down effects of Ensatina on leaf litter invertebrates, and how these effects influence the relative amount of leaf litter retained for decomposition, thereby fostering the input of carbon and nutrients to the forest soil. The experiment ran during the wet season (November - May) of two years (2007-2009) in the Mattole watershed of northwest California. In Year One results revealed a top-down effect on multiple invertebrate taxa, resulting in a 13% difference in litter weight. The retention of more leaf litter on salamander plots was attributed to Ensatina’s selective removal of large invertebrate shedders (beetle and fly larva) and grazers (beetles, springtails, and earwigs), which also enabled small grazers (mites; barklice in year two) to become more numerous. Ensatina’s predation modified the composition of the invertebrate assemblage by shifting the densities of members of a key functional group (shredders) resulting in an overall increase in leaf litter retention.
    [Show full text]
  • Diet of the Del Norte Salamander (Plethodon Elongatus): Differences by Age, Gender, and Season
    NORTHWESTERN NATURALIST 88:85–94 AUTUMN 2007 DIET OF THE DEL NORTE SALAMANDER (PLETHODON ELONGATUS): DIFFERENCES BY AGE, GENDER, AND SEASON CLARA AWHEELER,NANCY EKARRAKER1,HARTWELL HWELSH,JR, AND LISA MOLLIVIER Redwood Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 1700 Bayview Drive, Arcata, California 95521 ABSTRACT—Terrestrial salamanders are integral components of forest ecosystems and the ex- amination of their feeding habits may provide useful information regarding various ecosystem processes. We studied the diet of the Del Norte Salamander (Plethodon elongatus) and assessed diet differences between age classes, genders, and seasons. The stomachs of 309 subadult and adult salamanders, captured in spring and fall, contained 20 prey types. Nineteen were inver- tebrates, and one was a juvenile Del Norte Salamander, representing the first reported evidence of cannibalism in this species. Mites and ants represented a significant component of the diet across all age classes and genders, and diets of subadult and adult salamanders were fairly similar overall. We detected, however, an ontogenetic shift with termites and ants becoming less important and spiders and mites becoming more important with age. These differences between subadults and adults can likely be attributed to the inability of subadults to consume larger prey items due in part to gape limitation. The diet of the Del Norte Salamander, like other plethodontids, consists of a high diversity of prey items making it an opportunistic, sit-and- wait predator. Key words: Del Norte Salamander, Plethodon elongatus, food habits, diet, northern California, southern Oregon Terrestrial salamanders represent a signifi- 2005), and may require ecological conditions cant component of vertebrate biomass in forest found primarily in late seral stage forests ecosystems (Burton and Likens 1975a) and (Welsh 1990; Welsh and Lind 1995; Jones and strongly influence nutrient dynamics and en- others 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Crown Pastoral Tenure Review
    Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review Lease name : CAMBRIAN HILLS Lease number : PO 069 Conservation Resources Report - Part 1 As part of the process of Tenure Review, advice on significant inherent values within the pastoral lease is provided by Department of Conservation officials in the form of a Conservation Resources Report. This report is the result of outdoor survey and inspection. It is a key piece of information for the development of a preliminary consultation document. Note: Plans which form part of the Conservation Resources Report are published separately. These documents are all released under the Official information Act 1982. May 07 RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT DOC CONSERVATION RESOURCES REPORT ON TENURE REVIEW OF CAMBRIAN HILLS PASTORAL LEASE (P 69) UNDER PART 2 OF THE CROWN PASTORAL LAND ACT 1998 Final Cambrian Hills Pastoral Lease Conservation Resources Report. OTACO-42755 RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT TABLE OF CONTENTS PART 1 .................................................................................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Ecological Setting ...................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Herring Gull Complex Is Not a Ring Species Dorit Liebers1†, Peter De Knijff 2 and Andreas J
    Received 6 October 2003 Accepted 8 January 2004 Published online 31 March 2004 The herring gull complex is not a ring species Dorit Liebers1†, Peter de Knijff 2 and Andreas J. Helbig1* 1Institute of Zoology, University of Greifswald, Vogelwarte Hiddensee, 18565 Kloster, Germany 2Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research, MGC-Department of Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9503, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands Under what circumstances speciation in sexually reproducing animals can occur without geographical disjunction is still controversial. According to the ring-species model, a reproductive barrier may arise through ‘isolation by distance’ when peripheral populations of a species meet after expanding around some uninhabitable barrier. The classical example of this kind of speciation is the herring gull (Larus argentatus) complex, with a circumpolar distribution in the Northern Hemisphere. Based on mitochondrial DNA variation among 21 gull taxa, we show that members of this complex differentiated largely in allopa- try following multiple vicariance and long-distance-colonization events, not primarily through isolation by distance. Reproductive isolation evolved more rapidly between some lineages than between others, irres- pective of their genetic distance. Extant taxa are the result of divergent as well as reticulate evolution between two ancestral lineages originally separated in a North Atlantic refugium and a continental Eura- sian refugium, respectively. Continental birds expanded along the entire north Eurasian coast and via Beringia into North America. Contrary to the ring-species model, we find no genetic evidence for a closure of the circumpolar ring through colonization of Europe by North American herring gulls. However, closure of the ring in the opposite direction may be imminent, with lesser black-backed gulls about to colonize North America.
    [Show full text]