Contribution in an anthology

Appeared in: Evolution in Action : Case studies in Adaptive Radiation, Speciation and the Origin of Biodiversity

Editor list: Glaubrecht, M

Publication year: 2010

Pages: 551-578

ISBN: 978-3-642-12424-2

eISBN: 978-3-642-12425-9

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12425-9_25

Edition: 1

Abstract: 

Recently, there has been increased scientific interest
among evolutionary biologists in both causes and consequences of
radiations. Whereas one form of radiation – adaptive radiation – has
been studied extensively, another form – non-adaptive radiation – is
discussed controversially and is poorly understood. In fact, the concept
of non-adaptive radiation (i.e., rapid diversification of species not
accompanied by adaptation into various niches and resulting in a group
of allopatric taxa) is rejected by some workers. Therefore,
the present paper aims to review patterns and processes of radiation(s)
in a model taxon – the stenoecious spring snail genus Bythinella
– within the theoretical framework of adaptive versus non-adaptive
radiations. Based on a taxon-wide phylogeny, several methods for
identifying radiations are applied, including a new pragmatic approach
based on the species flock concept and a temporal frame of rapid
speciation. Then, the criteria of non-adaptive radiations are assessed
and the driving forces discussed both in general and specifically for Bythinella
spp. Based on eight identified radiations as well as ecological,
morphological, and distribution data for up to 50 species, the presence
of non-adaptive radiations is suggested in this taxon. Driving forces
for these radiations might be genetic drift in small sub-divided
populations, though natural selection may be involved as well. Moreover,
it is shown that adaptive and non-adaptive radiations might not be
entirely discrete in space and time. The present study underlines the
need for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of adaptive
and non-adaptive radiations and for a judicious use of these epithets.

Harvard Citation style: Wilke, T., Benke, M., Brändle, M., Albrecht, C. and Bichain, J. (2010) The Neglected Side of the Coin: Non-adaptive Radiations in Spring Snails (Bythinella spp.), in Glaubrecht, M. (ed.) Evolution in Action : Case studies in Adaptive Radiation, Speciation and the Origin of Biodiversity. 1. Berlin / Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag, pp. 551-578. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12425-9_25

APA Citation style: Wilke, T., Benke, M., Brändle, M., Albrecht, C., & Bichain, J. (2010). The Neglected Side of the Coin: Non-adaptive Radiations in Spring Snails (Bythinella spp.). In Glaubrecht, M. (Ed.), Evolution in Action : Case studies in Adaptive Radiation, Speciation and the Origin of Biodiversity (1, pp. 551-578). Springer-Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12425-9_25