What is it about?
Phylogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of genetic variation within a species, often uncovering distinct genetic clades which may have different environmental tolerances. Niche modelling is the modelling of a species habitat requirements, allowing its distribution to be projected into the past and future based on climatic data. Incorporating the two is mutually beneficial. It improves the accuracy of niche models by allowing the habitat requirements of genetic groups to be modelled separately, and improves phylogeographic knowledge by allowing the history and future of genetic clades to be explored.
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Why is it important?
The inclusion of phylogeographic data in niche modelling studies improves predictions of species responses to past and future climate change where genetic variation results in a variation in environmental tolerances. Niche modelling can also be used as an extra line of evidence for phylogeography, to examine differences in habitat requirements between genetic groups and to test theories regarding their formation.
Perspectives
As well as being valuable for predicting the responses of species to anthropogenic climate change, these two fields of study provide a window on the evolutionary and ecological processes involved in biogeography and speciation. This makes their combined use not only of conservation value, but also of great interest to ecologists seeking to understand how evolutionary and environmental processes give rise to the diversity and distribution of life.
Dr Govan Pahad
University of Johannesburg
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Phylogeography and niche modelling: reciprocal enlightenment, Mammalia, April 2019, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2018-0191.
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