Molecular Ecology: Evidence of extreme habitat stability in a Southeast Asian biodiversity hotspot based on the evolutionary analysis of neotenic net-winged beetles.

Molecular Ecology: Evidence of extreme habitat stability in a Southeast Asian biodiversity hotspot based on the evolutionary analysis of neotenic net-winged beetles. The diversification of neotenic ne��ot��e��ny?n.1. Retention of juvenile characteristics in the adults of a species, as among certain amphibians.2. The attainment of sexual maturity by an organism still in its larval stage. beetle lineages has not beenstudied, despite the potential for defining biodiversity hotspots andelucidating the history of regional faunas. Additionally, neotenics mayprovide insight into the process of speciation in small populations withextremely low dispersal ability and a limited range. Here, we used tworDNA and three mtDNA markers to investigate the phylogeny of Scarelus, aneotenic lineage endemic to Southeast Asian rainforests. Most geneticdifferentiation was associated with Palaeogene geographical divisions,which remain distinct despite temporary connections. Dispersal eventswere rare, with only two inferred for Scarelus: from Borneo to thePhilippines 28.3 million years ago (Ma) and from Sumatra to Java 13.9Ma. We suggest that speciation resulted from allopatric al��lo��pat��ric?adj. EcologyOccurring in separate, nonoverlapping geographic areas. Often used of populations of related organisms unable to crossbreed because of geographic separation. rangefragmentation, and Scarelus diversified readily when conditions werefavorable; in this case, at different times in the eastern (19.3-39.lMa) and western (3.5-13.9 Ma) parts of Sundaland. The observed strongphenotypic similarity was preserved under speciation through completeallopatry al��lo��pat��ric?adj. EcologyOccurring in separate, nonoverlapping geographic areas. Often used of populations of related organisms unable to crossbreed because of geographic separation. . Neotenic Lycidae have survived for a long time in very stablehabitats, and extremely low dispersal activity has not limited theirpersistence; however, the long-term diversification rate of neotenics islow and diversification is nonexistent under stable conditions. Themodern ranges of neotenic lineages are indicative of ancient rainforestrefugia In the most basic biological sense refugia (singular: refugium) are locations of isolated or relict populations of once widespread animal or plant species. This isolation (allopatry) can be due to climatic changes or human activities such as deforestation and over-hunting. and may be used in biodiversity conservation management. Mostneotenics are at risk of extinction because of their small ranges and alow dispersal potential. 19(21): 4800-11.