Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate clade

Global biodiversity is under accelerating threats, and species are succumbing to extinction before being described. Madagascar's biota represents an extreme example of this scenario, with the added complication that much of its endemic biodiversity is cryptic. Here we illustrate best practices for clarifying cryptic diversification processes by presenting an integrative framework that leverages multiple lines of evidence and taxon-informed cut-offs for species delimitation, while placing special emphasis on identifying patterns of isolation by distance. We systematically apply this framework to an entire taxonomically controversial primate clade, the mouse lemurs (genus Microcebus, family Cheirogaleidae). We demonstrate that species diversity has been overestimated primarily due to the interpretation of geographic variation as speciation, potentially biasing inference of the underlying processes of evolutionary diversification. Following a revised classification, we find that crypsis within the genus is best explained by a model of morphological stasis imposed by stabilizing selection and a neutral process of niche diversification. Finally, by clarifying species limits and defining evolutionarily significant units, we provide new conservation priorities, bridging fundamental and applied objectives in a generalizable framework.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Ecology & Evolution
Published
2024-09-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02547-w
Citations
32
Primary Topic
Primate Behavior and Ecology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
19.95
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Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate clade

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Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate clade

John Rigobert Zaonarivelo, Jean Freddy Ranaivoarisoa, Dominik Schüßler, Marina Scheumann, Jelmer W. Poelstra, George P. Tiley, Lounès Chikhi, Ando Rakotonanahary, Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona, Edward E. Louis, Steven Michael Goodman, Jordi Salmona, Mamy Rina Evasoa, Barbara Le Pors, Amaia Iribar, Peter M. Kappeler, S. Jacques Rakotondranary, Mohamed Thani Ibouroi, Fabien Jan, Ute Radespiel, Isa Aleixo‐Pais, Jörg U. Ganzhorn, Tobias van Elst, Helena Teixeira, Alida F. Hasiniaina, Sophie Manzi, Romule Rakotondravony, Rodin M. Rasoloarison, Emmanuel Rasolondraibe, Anne D. Yoder, Marina B. Blanco, Paul A. Hohenlohe, Gabriele Maria Sgarlata, Daniel Hending, Blanchard Randrianambinina, Gillian Olivieri, José M. Ralison
article en
32 citations

Abstract

Global biodiversity is under accelerating threats, and species are succumbing to extinction before being described. Madagascar's biota represents an extreme example of this scenario, with the added complication that much of its endemic biodiversity is cryptic. Here we illustrate best practices for clarifying cryptic diversification processes by presenting an integrative framework that leverages multiple lines of evidence and taxon-informed cut-offs for species delimitation, while placing special emphasis on identifying patterns of isolation by distance. We systematically apply this framework to an entire taxonomically controversial primate clade, the mouse lemurs (genus Microcebus, family Cheirogaleidae). We demonstrate that species diversity has been overestimated primarily due to the interpretation of geographic variation as speciation, potentially biasing inference of the underlying processes of evolutionary diversification. Following a revised classification, we find that crypsis within the genus is best explained by a model of morphological stasis imposed by stabilizing selection and a neutral process of niche diversification. Finally, by clarifying species limits and defining evolutionarily significant units, we provide new conservation priorities, bridging fundamental and applied objectives in a generalizable framework.

Nature Ecology & EvolutionVol. 9(1)
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (FR), University of Antananarivo (MG), University of Lisbon (PT), Ifremer (FR), University of Idaho (US), University of Hildesheim (DE), Universität Hamburg (DE), Duke University (US), Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées (FR), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation (DE), University of Reunion Island (RE), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (GB), German Primate Center (DE), Field Museum of Natural History (US), University of Bristol (GB), University of Warwick (GB), University of Oxford (GB), Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive (FR), Universidade Politécnica de Bragança (PT), Université de Mahajanga (MG), Université d’Antsiranana (MG), Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MG), Institute of Zoology (KZ), Association Vahatra (MG), Peuplements végétaux et bioagresseurs en milieu tropical (RE), Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de la Réunion (RE), Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (FR), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR), Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement (FR), Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (PT), The Ohio State University (US), University of Göttingen (DE), University of California, Davis (US)
Life in Land
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Primate Behavior and Ecology
19.95
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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