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Speciation: Expanding the Role of Biogeography and Niche Breadth in Macroevolutionary Theory

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Macroevolution

Part of the book series: Interdisciplinary Evolution Research ((IDER,volume 2))

Abstract

Understanding the processes that control speciation is critical to building a comprehensive macroevolutionary synthesis. A variety of theoretical constructs have been proposed to explain various differential speciation patterns observed in the fossil record, such as higher rates of speciation among specialist versus generalist taxa. Most of these explanations, however, rely on only one or two explanatory variables and may be overly simplistic. Developing a more complete understanding of speciation processes requires a broader synthesis of multiple explanatory factors including the role of external factors such as climatic and tectonics, impact of ecosystem-level processes, relative niche breadth, and relative stability of species’ niches during environmental change (biotic and abiotic). This chapter explores the relationship between biogeography, ecological niches, and speciation in a series of case studies focused on Paleozoic (Late Ordovician and Late Devonian) shallow marine brachiopods and bivalves and Cenozoic (Neogene) horses of North America.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Emanuele Serrelli for constructive comments on an earlier version of this paper and to the editors for the invitation to submit to this volume. Many students, particularly Hannah Brame, Nicole Dudei, Kaitlin Clare Maguire, Richard Malizia, Robert Swisher, Bradley Walls, and Davey Wright contributed to the development of the datasets described in the case studies. This research was supported by NSF EAR-0922067 and is a contribution to International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) 591.

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  1. Department of Geological Sciences and Ohio Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Studies, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA

    Alycia L. Stigall

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  1. Alycia L. Stigall
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Correspondence to Alycia L. Stigall .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Sciences U6, 4th floor, University of Milano Bicocca "Riccardo Massa", Milano, Italy

    Emanuele Serrelli

  2. Centre for Philosophy of Science Campo Grande, Edifício C4, University of Lisbon AppEEL, Lisbon, Portugal

    Nathalie Gontier

Appendix

Appendix

Biofacies: A body of sediment characterized by a particular suite of fossils

Chronostratigraphy: Correlation of rock units based on intervals of equivalent time

Depositional or stratigraphic sequence: A cohesive cycle of sedimentary deposition; including a cycle from low sea level (lowstand systems tract), to rising sea level (transgressive systems tract), to high sea level (highstand systems tract), to falling sea level (falling stage systems tract). Depositional sequences are separated by unconformities (often erosional surfaces) or correlative conformities.

Ecological niche modeling (ENM): A computational method for estimating the boundaries of a species’ ecological niche based on the correspondence of a set of known species occurrence points with a series of environmental variables.

Gradient ecology: An empirical analytical method used to relate abundances of species in a community to environmental gradients by ordination techniques

Hyspodonty: Development of high-crowned teeth with enamel that extends beyond the gum line. This type of dentition provides extra tooth material for extensive wear of siliceous grasses.

Lithostratigraphy: Correlation of rock units based on intervals of similar rock properties

Sequence stratigraphy: Correlation of rock units based on equivalent cycles of sedimentary deposition, i.e., depositional sequences.

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Stigall, A.L. (2015). Speciation: Expanding the Role of Biogeography and Niche Breadth in Macroevolutionary Theory. In: Serrelli, E., Gontier, N. (eds) Macroevolution. Interdisciplinary Evolution Research, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15045-1_9

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