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Published on: August 12, 2019
Species diversity and genetic diversity: parallel processes and correlated patterns
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. mvellend@interchange.ubc.ca
The American Naturalist
|July 21, 2005
Summary
Species and genetic diversity often correlate positively, influenced by area, immigration, and environmental heterogeneity. However, these relationships vary, especially concerning rare species and complex environmental factors.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Species diversity and genetic diversity are often correlated due to parallel ecological and evolutionary processes.
- Existing theories do not fully predict the conditions governing the relationship between species and genetic diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the parallel influence of locality area, immigration rate, and environmental heterogeneity on species and genetic diversity using simulation models.
- To understand when species diversity can predict genetic diversity and vice versa.
Main Methods:
- Simulation modeling was employed to explore the interplay of ecological factors on diversity.
- The study examined the effects of locality area, immigration rates, and environmental heterogeneity.
- Species-genetic diversity correlations (SGDCs) were analyzed under various conditions.
Main Results:
- A moderate to strong positive correlation between species and genetic diversity (SGDCs) was the most common outcome.
- Correlations were weaker when genetic diversity was assessed for rare species compared to common species.
- Environmental heterogeneity introduced complex relationships (positive, negative, or unimodal) between genetic and species diversity.
Conclusions:
- Locality area, immigration, and environmental heterogeneity can all drive positive species-genetic diversity correlations.
- Environmental heterogeneity significantly complicates the relationship between species and genetic diversity.
- Single-species models for genetic diversity are not always applicable to multispecies communities, particularly concerning environmental heterogeneity.
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