Giant tortoises are not so slow: rapid diversification and biogeographic consensus in the Galapagos.

ABSTRACT: Isolated oceanic archipelagos have played a major role in the development of evolutionary theory by offering a unique setting for studying spatial and temporal patterns of biological diversification. However, the evolutionary events that cause associations between genetic variation and geography in archipelago radiations are largely unknown. This finding is especially true in the Galápagos Islands, where molecular studies have revealed conflicting biogeographic patterns. Here, we elucidate the history of diversification of giant Galápagos tortoises by using mtDNA sequences from 802 individuals representing all known extant populations. We test biogeographic predictions based on geological history and assess the roles of volcano emergence and island formation in driving evolutionary diversi

SUBMITTER: Beheregaray LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC404076 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature