Miraldo , A , Wirta , H & Hanski , I 2011 , ' Origin and diversification of dung beetles in Madagascar ' , Insects , vol. 2 , no. 2 , pp. 112-127 . https://doi.org/10.3390/insects2020112
Title: | Origin and diversification of dung beetles in Madagascar |
Author: | Miraldo, Andreia; Wirta, Helena; Hanski, Ilkka |
Contributor organization: | Centre of Excellence in Metapopulation Research Biosciences Spatial Foodweb Ecology Group |
Date: | 2011-04-20 |
Language: | eng |
Number of pages: | 16 |
Belongs to series: | Insects |
ISSN: | 2075-4450 |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.3390/insects2020112 |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10138/29759 |
Abstract: | Madagascar has a rich fauna of dung beetles (Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae) with almost 300 species described to date. Like most other taxa in Madagascar, dung beetles exhibit an exceptionally high level of endemism (96% of the species). Here,we review the current knowledge of the origin and diversification of Malagasy dung beetles. Based on molecular phylogenies, the extant dung beetles originate from eight colonizations, of which four have given rise to extensive radiations. These radiations have occurred in wet forests, while the few extant species in the less successfu lradiations occur in open and semi-open habitats. We discuss the likely mechanisms of speciation and the ecological characteristics of the extant communities, emphasizing the role of adaptation along environmental gradients and allopatric speciation in generating the exceptionally high beta diversity in Malagasy dung beetles. Phylogeographic analyses of selected species reveal complex patterns with evidence for genetic introgression between old taxa. The introduction of cattle to Madagascar 1500 years ago created a new abundant resource, onto which a few species have shifted and thereby been able to greatly expand their geographical ranges. |
Subject: |
1181 Ecology, evolutionary biology
dung beetles Speciation Phylogeography Radiation Adaptation Madagascar |
Peer reviewed: | Yes |
Rights: | cc_by |
Usage restriction: | openAccess |
Self-archived version: | publishedVersion |
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