Journal
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Volume 3, Issue 6, Pages 1603-1613Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.576
Keywords
Apalachicola river; Florida; geographic barrier; Geomys pinetis; phylogeography
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Funding
- University Scholars Award from the University of Florida
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science for Life Distinguished Mentor Award
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We evaluated the mtDNA divergence and relationships within Geomys pinetis to assess the status of formerly recognized Geomys taxa. Additionally, we integrated new hypothesis-based tests in ecological niche models (ENM) to provide greater insight into causes for divergence and potential barriers to gene flow in Southeastern United States (Alabama, Florida, and Georgia). Our DNA sequence dataset confirmed and strongly supported two distinct lineages within G.pinetis occurring east and west of the ARD. Divergence date estimates showed that eastern and western lineages diverged about 1.37Ma (1.9Ma-830ka). Predicted distributions from ENMs were consistent with molecular data and defined each population east and west of the ARD with little overlap. Niche identity and background similarity tests were statistically significant suggesting that ENMs from eastern and western lineages are not identical or more similar than expected based on random localities drawn from the environmental background. ENMs also support the hypothesis that the ARD represents a ribbon of unsuitable climate between more suitable areas where these populations are distributed. The estimated age of divergence between eastern and western lineages of G.pinetis suggests that the divergence was driven by climatic conditions during Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles. The ARD at the contact zone of eastern and western lineages of G.pinetis forms a significant barrier promoting microgeographic isolation that helps maintain ecological and genetic divergence.
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