Inter- and intra-island speciation and their morphological and ecological correlates in Aeonium (Crassulaceae), a species-rich Macaronesian radiation.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The most species-rich and ecologically diverse plant radiation on the Canary Islands is the Aeonium alliance (Crassulaceae). In island radiations like this, speciation can take place either within islands or following dispersal between islands. Aiming at quantifying intra- and inter-island speciation events in the evolution of Aeonium, and exploring their consequences, we hypothesized that (1) intra-island diversification resulted in stronger ecological divergence of sister lineages, and that (2) taxa on islands with a longer history of habitation by Aeonium show stronger ecological differentiation and produce fewer natural hybrids.

Methods

We studied the biogeographical and ecological setting of diversification processes in Aeonium with a fully sampled a

SUBMITTER: Messerschmid TFE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10147336 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature