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Exceptional convergence on the macroevolutionary landscape in island lizard radiations
D Luke Mahler1, Travis Ingram, Liam J Revell
1Center for Population Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. lmahler@ucdavis.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 23, 2013
Summary
Caribbean Anolis lizards show convergent evolution on similar adaptive landscapes, demonstrating predictable evolutionary patterns. Geographic area influences lineage discovery of new adaptive peaks.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Macroevolution
- Ecology
Background:
- The modern synthesis proposed macroevolutionary adaptive landscapes drive diversification.
- Landscape models are underutilized in studying adaptive divergence within large radiations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adaptive divergence in Caribbean Anolis lizards using landscape models.
- To explore macroevolutionary convergence and predictable evolutionary patterns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of diversification patterns in Caribbean Anolis lizards across four islands.
- Application of Simpsonian landscape models to macroevolutionary data.
Main Results:
- Similar Simpsonian landscapes resulted in striking faunal convergence among Anolis lizard radiations.
- Parallel radiations observed over large temporal scales.
Conclusions:
- Adaptive landscapes can lead to predictable evolutionary outcomes in nature.
- Adaptive peaks demonstrate stability over macroevolutionary timescales.
- Geographic area impacts lineages' capacity to access novel adaptive peaks.
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