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Evolutionary legacies in contemporary tetrapod imperilment
Dan A Greenberg1, R Alexander Pyron2, Liam G W Johnson1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
Ecology Letters
|September 12, 2021
Summary
Lineages with faster recent speciation rates face higher extinction risks. This is because rapidly diversifying groups often contain species with limited ranges, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Conservation Biology
- Biodiversity Science
Background:
- Anthropogenic extinctions are reshaping the Tree of Life.
- Evolutionary dynamics like speciation rates may influence extinction patterns, but this is poorly understood for modern risks.
Discussion:
- This study investigates evolutionary legacies in the contemporary extinction risk of over 4000 genera across major tetrapod groups.
- The research examines if factors influencing ancient extinctions also contribute to current species endangerment.
Key Insights:
- Extinction risk is consistently elevated in lineages exhibiting higher recent speciation rates.
- Rapidly diversifying clades tend to include more range-restricted and extinction-prone species, explaining the link between speciation and extinction risk.
Outlook:
- Understanding these evolutionary patterns is crucial for managing the ongoing erosion of biological diversity.
- The findings have implications for conservation strategies aimed at preserving biodiversity across the Tree of Life.
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