Using ecological niche models and niche analyses to understand speciation patterns: the case of sister neotropical orchid bees.

ABSTRACT: The role of past connections between the two major South American forested biomes on current species distribution has been recognized a long time ago. Climatic oscillations that further separated these biomes have promoted parapatric speciation, in which many species had their continuous distribution split, giving rise to different but related species (i.e., different potential distributions and realized niche features). The distribution of many sister species of orchid bees follow this pattern. Here, using ecological niche models and niche analyses, we (1) tested the role of ecological niche differentiation on the divergence between sister orchid-bees (genera Eulaema and Eufriesea) from the Amazon and Atlantic forests, and (2) highlighted interesting areas for new surveys. Amazonian speci

SUBMITTER: Silva DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4244149 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature