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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Niche divergence and diversification in South American freshwater turtles of the genus Acanthochelys (Chelidae)

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Author(s):
Souza, Franco [1] ; Rodrigues, Joao [2] ; Olalla-Tarraga, Miguel [3] ; Diniz-Filho, Jose [2] ; Martinez, Pablo [4] ; Sawaya, Ricardo J. [5]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Inst Biociencias, Campo Grande, MS - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Goias, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Ecol, Goiania, Go - Brazil
[3] Rey Juan Carlos Univ, Dept Biol & Geol, Phys & Inorgan Chem, Madrid - Spain
[4] Univ Fed Sergipe, Dept Biol, Aracaju, Sergipe - Brazil
[5] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Amphibia-Reptilia; v. 40, n. 4, p. 475-485, 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly used to assess how ecological factors shape species distributions and diversification. Chelid turtles represent the richest family of chelonians in South America. Given the distributional disjunction and distinct habitats of four Acanthochelys species, we explored SDMs and niche overlap metrics between species pairs to evaluate the extent to which niche divergence or conservatism may have contributed to their geographic distribution patterns. None of the species pairs presented patterns consistent with niche conservatism suggesting that these species have different environmental requirements. However, when comparing species pairs co-occurring in the same watershed, results were conflicting. Niche divergence detected among Acanthochelys species indicate an interaction between ecological niche preference and geographical barriers for allopatric speciation. This interaction implies that ecological differentiation contributed to the diversification of Acanthochelys side-necked turtles that occur in South American freshwater environments. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/23677-9 - New approaches to ecology and conservation: phylogenetic and functional diversity of amphibians and snakes of Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Grantee:Ricardo Jannini Sawaya
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants