van Elst T., Sgarlata G. M., Schüssler D., Tiley G. P., Poelstra J. W., Scheumann M., Blanco M. B., Aleixo-Pais I. G., Evasoa M. R., Ganzhorn J. U., Goodman S. M., Hasiniaina A. F., Hending D., Hohenlohe P. A., Ibouroi M. T., Iribar A., Jan F., Kappeler P. M., Le Pors B., Manzi S., Olivieri G., Rakotonanahary A. N., Rakotondranary S. J., Rakotondravony R., Ralison J. M., Ranaivoarisoa J. F., Randrianambinina B., Rasoloarison R. M., Rasoloharijaona S., Rasolondraibe E., Teixeira H., Zaonarivelo J. R., Louis E. E. Jr., Yoder A. D., Chikhi L., Radespiel U., Salmona Jordi. (2025). Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate clade. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 9 (1), 57-95. ISSN 2397-334X.
Titre du document
Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate clade
Année de publication
2025
Auteurs
van Elst T., Sgarlata G. M., Schüssler D., Tiley G. P., Poelstra J. W., Scheumann M., Blanco M. B., Aleixo-Pais I. G., Evasoa M. R., Ganzhorn J. U., Goodman S. M., Hasiniaina A. F., Hending D., Hohenlohe P. A., Ibouroi M. T., Iribar A., Jan F., Kappeler P. M., Le Pors B., Manzi S., Olivieri G., Rakotonanahary A. N., Rakotondranary S. J., Rakotondravony R., Ralison J. M., Ranaivoarisoa J. F., Randrianambinina B., Rasoloarison R. M., Rasoloharijaona S., Rasolondraibe E., Teixeira H., Zaonarivelo J. R., Louis E. E. Jr., Yoder A. D., Chikhi L., Radespiel U., Salmona Jordi
Source
Nature Ecology and Evolution, 2025,
9 (1), 57-95 ISSN 2397-334X
Global biodiversity is under accelerating threats, and species are succumbing to extinction before being described. Madagascar's biota represents an extreme example of this scenario, with the added complication that much of its endemic biodiversity is cryptic. Here we illustrate best practices for clarifying cryptic diversification processes by presenting an integrative framework that leverages multiple lines of evidence and taxon-informed cut-offs for species delimitation, while placing special emphasis on identifying patterns of isolation by distance. We systematically apply this framework to an entire taxonomically controversial primate clade, the mouse lemurs (genus Microcebus, family Cheirogaleidae). We demonstrate that species diversity has been overestimated primarily due to the interpretation of geographic variation as speciation, potentially biasing inference of the underlying processes of evolutionary diversification. Following a revised classification, we find that crypsis within the genus is best explained by a model of morphological stasis imposed by stabilizing selection and a neutral process of niche diversification. Finally, by clarifying species limits and defining evolutionarily significant units, we provide new conservation priorities, bridging fundamental and applied objectives in a generalizable framework. A spatial taxonomic framework integrating genomic, morphological, ecological, life history and acoustic data is used to clarify the cryptic evolution of the taxonomically controversial mouse lemur complex, with a view to aiding future conservation of this and other similarly cryptic clades.
Plan de classement
Sciences du monde animal [080]
;
Etudes, transformation, conservation du milieu naturel [082]
Description Géographique
MADAGASCAR
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010091904]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010091904
