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The evolution of paleo- and neo-endemic species of Cactaceae in the isolated Valley of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Mexico.
- Source :
- Plant Ecology & Evolution; 2024, Vol. 157 Issue 1, p42-54, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background and aims -- Endemism may be defined according to the time of origin of taxa. Neo-endemics refer to relatively recent species that have not dispersed outside their ancestral areas. In contrast, paleo-endemics refer to species of ancient origins, which are currently geographically restricted but probably were more widespread in the past. Geographically, endemism areas may also be based on the co-occurrence of more than one species. We aimed to qualitatively identify the neo-endemism and paleo-endemism of endemic Cactaceae of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, as well as to quantitatively assess paleo- and neo-endemics areas. Material and methods -- Using a dated molecular phylogeny of endemic Cactaceae, we defined paleo- and neo-endemics using an arbitrary boundary of 2.6 million years ago; we also assessed the significance of concentrations of these species using a categorical analysis of paleo- and neo-endemism. Key results -- Our results showed that most endemic Cactaceae in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley arose throughout the Pleistocene, while categorical analysis indicated localised mixed- and super-endemism (including both paleo- and neoendemics) areas. Conclusion -- We suggest that paleo- and neo-endemics, as well as localised mixed-endemism areas, may have originated due to a probable high climatic stability in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, which in addition to topographically rugged and ecologically complex zones (e.g. ecotones, isolated habitat patches) may have allowed it to function as a refuge throughout Pleistocene climatic changes, mainly promoting the speciation of neo-endemics, as well as the persistence of relatively few paleo-endemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20323913
- Volume :
- 157
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Plant Ecology & Evolution
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 175424148
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.110352