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Historical biogeography and distribution of the freshwater calanoid copepods (Crustacea: Copepoda) of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Author(s) -
SuárezMorales E.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1365-2699
pISSN - 0305-0270
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2003.00958.x
Subject(s) - biogeography , biological dispersal , fauna , peninsula , pleistocene , interglacial , ecology , zoogeography , vicariance , paleontology , geology , geography , biology , phylogeography , phylogenetic tree , population , demography , sociology , biochemistry , gene
Aim To determine and analyse the distribution of the freshwater calanoid copepod (Diaptomidae and Pseudodiaptomidae) fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) and its relation to the geological history of this Neotropical karstic plain. Location The Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Methods Plotting of geo‐referenced sites, analysis of local and regional geological history, analysis and comparison of regional and local records. Results The current composition and distribution of Diaptomidae and Pseudodiaptomidae in the YP mainly reflects recent, post‐Pliocene colonization events. This invasion did not reach America, but only parts of Central America (CA). The presence of diaptomids in the continent since the pre‐Cretaceous and the presumed post‐Cretaceous (Palaeocene–Oligocene) radiation of Diaptomidae in Middle America suggest earlier colonizations of the YP. The marine transgressions kept most of the YP submerged in different geological periods, thus eliminating any original primary freshwater colonizers, such as the diaptomids. The periods of marine regression probably represented opportunities for new waves of diaptomid colonization of the YP. The latest dispersal of diaptomids in the YP during the Holocene (8000 yr bp ) was probably an intermittent process because of the alternative dry and wet periods and interglacial transgressions. The presence of the Nearctic Leptodiaptomus and Arctodiaptomus in the YP and the current distribution of Mastigodiaptomus might represent remnants of earlier invasions of Diaptomidae in Middle America. The Neotropical Mastigodiaptomus probably originated in the Late Cretacic CA/proto‐Antilles complex. Forms derived from a M. albuquerquensis type ancestor radiated into the YP leaving relatively isolated populations of three species in the northern half of the peninsula. The distribution of the brackish water Pseudodiaptomus marshi well inside the coastline might have resulted from stranding and subsequent adaptation of this species during a marine regression in the Bacalar formation; this agrees with the vision of this taxon as being in process of invasion of freshwater environments. Main conclusions It is not probable that the South American (SA) diaptomid fauna originated from an invasion of upper Neotropical/Nearctic forms. The current distribution of freshwater calanoid copepods reflects relatively recent, post‐Pliocene biogeographical patterns, but probably older patterns are involved as well. The northern and eastern coasts of the Yucatan are the most recently colonized by diaptomids. Differing from other freshwater groups surveyed in the Yucatan that have marine relatives (i.e. fishes, amphipods, isopods, mysids, macrocrustaceans), there is no evidence of local vicariant events involving cave‐dwelling forms or marine relicts in the diaptomid fauna of the YP.