Niche divergence builds the case for ecological speciation in skinks of the Plestiodon skiltonianus species complex.

ABSTRACT: Adaptation to different thermal environments has the potential to cause evolutionary changes that are sufficient to drive ecological speciation. Here, we examine whether climate-based niche divergence in lizards of the Plestiodon skiltonianus species complex is consistent with the outcomes of such a process. Previous work on this group shows that a mechanical sexual barrier has evolved between species that differ mainly in body size and that the barrier may be a by-product of selection for increased body size in lineages that have invaded xeric environments; however, baseline information on niche divergence among members of the group is lacking. We quantified the climatic niche using mechanistic physiological and correlative niche models and then estimated niche differences among species u

SUBMITTER: Wogan GO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4670058 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature