Digest: A model for speciation in island systems

Evolution. 2024 Mar 26;78(4):796-798. doi: 10.1093/evolut/qpae021.

Abstract

Ecological pulses, marked by rapid environmental shifts, shape species dynamics such as speciation. Princepe et al. 2024 explore how intermittent migration, seabed depth, and sea-level changes influence species richness in islands. Their model, revealing nuanced richness patterns and migration impacts, contributes to understanding island evolution and offers insights into real-world cases. Examining the Philippines Archipelago, known for rich biodiversity, parallels emerge, showcasing the complex interplay of isolation, land bridges, and sea-level shifts in shaping genetic diversity. Overall, the findings enhance our understanding of population evolution in dynamic island environments.

MeSH terms

  • Biodiversity*
  • Genetic Speciation*
  • Islands
  • Philippines
  • Phylogeny