What is it about?
Larvae of two closely related crabs in adjacent biogeographic regions were reared at a range of temperatures, and clear adaptations to the conditions prevalent in each regions were identified.
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Why is it important?
Lack of larval dispersal across the boundaries between marine biogeographic regions is often assumed to be the result of marine barriers that are unlikely to isolate regional lineages (e.g. temporary upwelling, ocean currents and unsuitable habitat). This paper shows that regional lineages are adapted to the water temperatures prevalent in their regions. This suggests that they can disperse into adjacent provinces, but are unable to establish themselves.
Perspectives
A vast amount of literature seeks to explain the often very abrupt genetic discontinuities associated with the boundaries of marine biogeographic provinces by lower than expected dispersal potential. Studies such as this one challenge this idea, and identify a role for thermal adaptation in limiting the exchange of migrants between regions.
Prof. Peter R Teske
University of Johannesburg
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Larval development reflects biogeography in two formerly synonymised southern African coastal crabs, African Journal of Aquatic Science, July 2014, Informa UK Limited,
DOI: 10.2989/16085914.2014.938600.
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