Spatial and temporal dynamics of species coexistence: a global approach using snakes and lizards as models

• Grant number: 16/14292-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: December 01, 2016
• End date: October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Bosisio Quental
• Grantee: Laura Rodrigues Vieira de Alencar
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/04072-3 - The role of extinction and speciation rates, and the effect of different levels of biological organization on the origin and maintenance of biodiversity, AP.JP

Abstract

In order to understand why species richness varies across space, we need to understand the mechanisms regulating species distributions and their coexistence patterns. Thus, understanding the processes that determine species coexistence is an essential step into understanding what generates and maintains biodiversity. Both the speciation process and the time since divergence between lineages can ascertain when those lineages might come into coexistence. Competition and dispersion can also influence the coexistence probability among lineages. It is important to note, however, that the geographical and ecological scenario where lineages occur should modulate the potential effects of competition and dispersion in coexistence patterns. Moreover, the ecological, physiological and behavioral attributes of each taxonomic group might also influence how different factors affect coexistence. Snakes and lizards (order Squamata) comprise more than 10.000 reptile species distributed worldwide differing in many aspects of their natural history. Thus, the Squamata represents an ideal group to explore species coexistence patterns and the factors shaping them. The goal of this project is to explore the role of speciation, time since divergence, competition, and dispersion, in shaping coexistence patterns among Squamate lineages in different geographical and ecological contexts. We will use phylogenetic information on sister species, distribution maps, morphological data and probabilistic models to investigate what factors determine the spatial and temporal dynamics of coexistence in Squamata. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ALENCAR, LAURA R. V.; QUENTAL, TIAGO B. B.. Geographical and ecological drivers of coexistence dynamics in squamate reptiles. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY, v. N/A, p. 15-pg., 2023-08-03. (18/05462-6, 21/06780-4, 16/14292-1)

ALENCAR, LAURA RODRIGUES VIEIRA DE; QUENTAL, TIAGO BOSISIO. Linking population-level and microevolutionary processes to understand speciation dynamics at the macroevolutionary scale. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, v. 11, n. 11, p. 5828-5843, JUN 2021. (18/05462-6, 16/14292-1)

OLIVEIRA-DALLAND, LUIS G.; ALENCAR, LAURA R. V.; TAMBOSI, LEANDRO R.; CARRASCO, PAOLA A.; RAUTSAW, RHETT M.; SIGALA-RODRIGUEZ, JESUS; SCROCCHI, GUSTAVO; MARTINS, MARCIO. Conservation gaps for Neotropical vipers: Mismatches between protected areas, species richness and evolutionary distinctiveness. Biological Conservation, v. 275, p. 8-pg., 2022-10-05. (20/12658-4, 18/14091-1, 16/14292-1)

BIRSKIS-BARROS, IRINA; ALENCAR, LAURA R. V.; PRADO, PAULO I.; BOHM, MONIKA; MARTINS, MARCIO. Ecological and Conservation Correlates of Rarity in New World Pitvipers. DIVERSITY-BASEL, v. 11, n. 9, SEP 2019. (12/22197-8, 18/14091-1, 16/14292-1, 15/21259-8, 12/02038-2, 11/50206-9, 12/15398-7)