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Evolution and the latitudinal diversity gradient: speciation, extinction and biogeography
Author(s) -
Mittelbach Gary G.,
Schemske Douglas W.,
Cornell Howard V.,
Allen Andrew P.,
Brown Jonathan M.,
Bush Mark B.,
Harrison Susan P.,
Hurlbert Allen H.,
Knowlton Nancy,
Lessios Harilaos A.,
McCain Christy M.,
McCune Amy R.,
McDade Lucinda A.,
McPeek Mark A.,
Near Thomas J.,
Price Trevor D.,
Ricklefs Robert E.,
Roy Kaustuv,
Sax Dov F.,
Schluter Dolph,
Sobel James M.,
Turelli Michael
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2007.01020.x
Subject(s) - extinction (optical mineralogy) , genetic algorithm , biology , origination , ecology , biogeography , biodiversity , taxon , diversification (marketing strategy) , macroevolution , reproductive isolation , phylogenetic diversity , species diversity , evolutionary biology , phylogenetic tree , paleontology , population , computer network , biochemistry , marketing , computer science , gene , business , demography , sociology
A latitudinal gradient in biodiversity has existed since before the time of the dinosaurs, yet how and why this gradient arose remains unresolved. Here we review two major hypotheses for the origin of the latitudinal diversity gradient. The time and area hypothesis holds that tropical climates are older and historically larger, allowing more opportunity for diversification. This hypothesis is supported by observations that temperate taxa are often younger than, and nested within, tropical taxa, and that diversity is positively correlated with the age and area of geographical regions. The diversification rate hypothesis holds that tropical regions diversify faster due to higher rates of speciation (caused by increased opportunities for the evolution of reproductive isolation, or faster molecular evolution, or the increased importance of biotic interactions), or due to lower extinction rates. There is phylogenetic evidence for higher rates of diversification in tropical clades, and palaeontological data demonstrate higher rates of origination for tropical taxa, but mixed evidence for latitudinal differences in extinction rates. Studies of latitudinal variation in incipient speciation also suggest faster speciation in the tropics. Distinguishing the roles of history, speciation and extinction in the origin of the latitudinal gradient represents a major challenge to future research.