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Evolutionary models demonstrate rapid and adaptive diversification of Australo-Papuan pythons
Damien Esquerré1, Ian G Brennan1, Stephen Donnellan2,3
1Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University 0200, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Biology Letters
|December 21, 2022
Summary
Australian pythons rapidly diversified after invading Australo-Papua, showing bursts of speciation and adaptive evolution in head, body shape, and size, consistent with adaptive radiation theory.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Ecology
- Phylogenetics
Background:
- Adaptive radiation, driven by ecological opportunity, explains vertebrate diversification in Australia.
- Pythons in Australo-Papua exhibit significant phenotypic and ecological diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history of pythons in Australo-Papua.
- To test adaptive radiation theory in python diversification.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenomic analysis with time calibration.
- Analysis of speciation rates and phenotypic evolution.
Main Results:
- Python invasion of Australo-Papua triggered a rapid speciation burst.
- Accelerated evolution in head and body shape, and body size was observed.
- Diversification patterns align with adaptive radiation, including niche-filling and saturation.
Conclusions:
- Python diversification in Australo-Papua exemplifies adaptive radiation.
- Ecomorphologically diverse, non-species-rich groups are crucial for understanding biodiversity generation.
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