Speciation in little: the role of range and body size in the diversification of Malagasy mantellid frogs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The rate and mode of lineage diversification might be shaped by clade-specific traits. In Madagascar, many groups of organisms are characterized by tiny distribution ranges and small body sizes, and this high degree of microendemism and miniaturization parallels a high species diversity in some of these groups. We here investigate the geographic patterns characterizing the radiation of the frog family Mantellidae that is virtually endemic to Madagascar. We integrate a newly reconstructed near-complete species-level timetree of the Mantellidae with georeferenced distribution records and maximum male body size data to infer the influence of these life-history traits on each other and on mantellid diversification.

Results

We reconstructed a molecular phylogeny based

SUBMITTER: Wollenberg KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3199771 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature