A test of alternative models of diversification in tropical rainforests: ecological gradients vs. rainforest refugia.

ABSTRACT: Comparison of mitochondrial and morphological divergence in eight populations of a widespread leaf-litter skink is used to determine the relative importance of geographic isolation and natural selection in generating phenotypic diversity in the Wet Tropics Rainforest region of Australia. The populations occur in two geographically isolated regions, and within each region, in two different habitats (closed rainforest and tall open forest) that span a well characterized ecological gradient. Morphological differences among ancient geographic isolates (separated for several million years, judging by their mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence) were slight, but morphological and life history differences among habitats were large and occurred despite moderate to high levels of mitochondrial gene

SUBMITTER: Schneider CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC24157 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature