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Speciation is the process by which a single species gives rise to two daughter species, which are genetically distinct and eventually unable to interbreed. Speciation can occur as a result of factors such as geographical isolation, ecological divergence or sexual selection.
Global spatiotemporal patterns of plant diversification are unclear. Here, the authors use a genus-level phylogeny and global distribution data for 14,244 flowering plant genera, finding a negative correlation between spatial patterns of diversification and genus diversity.
Scleractinian corals are important in both shallow and deep ecosystems. Here, the authors use global spatial distribution data with a phylogenetic approach to examine directionality and speed of colonization during depth diversification, finding an offshore-onshore pattern of evolution and that depth dispersion is associated with phenotypic innovations.
The occurrence and consequences of polyploidization in clonally reproducing animals is unclear. Here, the authors generate 4 polyploid Meloidogyne genomes, identifying a telomeric element, resolving genome structures and extensive chromosome fusion events, and revealing origin patterns.
While speciation rates vary across regions, the causes of this disparity and its impact on biodiversity patterns still puzzle scientists. Studying South American fish speciation, Cerezer et al. uncover key associations of body size evolution—especially rapid changes in uplands—with accelerated speciation.
Luis Saraiva recalls a 1997 paper by Krings et al., which reports the sequencing of mitochondrial Neanderthal DNA extracted from a 40,000-year-old bone, enabling the direct study of the relationship between ancient and modern humans.
Analysis of Phanerozoic vertebrate community richness suggests there have been constraints on tetrapod diversity dynamics over much of their evolutionary history.
Genomes of eight populations of the copepod Tigriopus californicus show a correlation between rapid mitochondrial evolution and compensatory nuclear evolution, suggesting that mitonuclear incompatibilities might drive speciation in this system.
Allowing biogeographical data to evolve at varying rates on a globe, not a plane, reveals new insights into the origin and dispersal of dinosaurs. The method could also be applied to manifold organisms, from humans to influenza viruses.
