Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Cachera M., Le Loc'h François. (2017). Assessing the relationships between phylogenetic and functional singularities in sharks (Chondrichthyes). Ecology and Evolution, 7 (16), p. 6292-6303. ISSN 2045-7758.

Titre du document
Assessing the relationships between phylogenetic and functional singularities in sharks (Chondrichthyes)
Année de publication
2017
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000409528000021
Auteurs
Cachera M., Le Loc'h François
Source
Ecology and Evolution, 2017, 7 (16), p. 6292-6303 ISSN 2045-7758
The relationships between diversity and ecosystem functioning have become a major focus of science. A crucial issue is to estimate functional diversity, as it is intended to impact ecosystem dynamics and stability. However, depending on the ecosystem, it may be challenging or even impossible to directly measure ecological functions and thus functional diversity. Phylogenetic diversity was recently under consideration as a proxy for functional diversity. Phylogenetic diversity is indeed supposed to match functional diversity if functions are conservative traits along evolution. However, in case of adaptive radiation and/or evolutive convergence, a mismatch may appear between species phylogenetic and functional singularities. Using highly threatened taxa, sharks, this study aimed to explore the relationships between phylogenetic and functional diversities and singularities. Different statistical computations were used in order to test both methodological issue (phylogenetic reconstruction) and overall a theoretical questioning: the predictive power of phylogeny for function diversity. Despite these several methodological approaches, a mismatch between phylogeny and function was highlighted. This mismatch revealed that (i) functions are apparently nonconservative in shark species, and (ii) phylogenetic singularity is not a proxy for functional singularity. Functions appeared to be not conservative along the evolution of sharks, raising the conservational challenge to identify and protect both phylogenetic and functional singular species. Facing the current rate of species loss, it is indeed of major importance to target phylogenetically singular species to protect genetic diversity and also functionally singular species in order to maintain particular functions within ecosystem.
Plan de classement
Sciences fondamentales / Techniques d'analyse et de recherche [020] ; Limnologie biologique / Océanographie biologique [034] ; Ecologie, systèmes aquatiques [036]
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010070995]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010070995
Contact