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Science (New York, N.Y.)2017; 355(6325); 627-630; doi: 10.1126/science.aag1772

Decoupled ecomorphological evolution and diversification in Neogene-Quaternary horses.

Abstract: Evolutionary theory has long proposed a connection between trait evolution and diversification rates. In this work, we used phylogenetic methods to evaluate the relationship of lineage-specific speciation rates and the mode of evolution of body size and tooth morphology in the Neogene and Quaternary radiation of horses (7 living and 131 extinct species). We show that diversification pulses are a recurrent feature of equid evolution but that these pulses are not correlated with rapid bursts in phenotypic evolution. Instead, rapid cladogenesis seems repeatedly associated with extrinsic factors that relaxed diversity bounds, such as increasing productivity and geographic dispersals into the Old World. This evidence suggests that diversity dynamics in Equinae were controlled mainly by ecological limits under diversity dependence rather than rapid ecomorphological differentiation.
Copyright © 2017, American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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Publication Date: 2017-02-12 PubMed ID: 28183978DOI: 10.1126/science.aag1772Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper evaluates the relationship between diversification rates and the evolution of body size and tooth morphology in both extinct and extant horse species. The findings indicate that geographic expansion and increasing productivity, rather than quick eco-morphological differentiation, predominantly controlled the diversity dynamics in horses.

Introduction

The research revolves around understanding how speciation rates in the Neogene and Quaternary radiation of horses (covering 7 living and 131 extinct species) relates to the evolution of their body size and tooth morphology.

Methodology

  • The researchers utilized phylogenetic methods to delve into the link between lineage-specific speciation rates and the pattern of body size and tooth morphology evolution over time.

Findings

  • The study confirmed that diversity ‘pulses’, or distinct increases in diversity, are a consistent feature of horse evolution. These pulses, however, are not directly associated with rapid bursts in the evolution of physical traits (phenotypic evolution).
  • Contrarily, rapid diversification, or ‘cladogenesis’, was found to be frequently linked with external factors. These factors include an increase in environmental productivity and geographic dispersals into new territories, specifically the Old World (Eurasia and Africa).

Conclusion

  • Based on the evidence, the paper concludes that the diversification dynamics in horses were primarily influenced by ecological limitations under diversity dependence.
  • In simpler terms, the environment and its available resources played a larger role in diversifying horse species than the quick evolution of physical traits, such as body size or tooth formation.

Cite This Article

APA
Cantalapiedra JL, Prado JL, Hernández Fernández M, Alberdi MT. (2017). Decoupled ecomorphological evolution and diversification in Neogene-Quaternary horses. Science, 355(6325), 627-630. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aag1772

Publication

Science (New York, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1095-9203
NlmUniqueID: 0404511
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 355
Issue: 6325
Pages: 627-630

Researcher Affiliations

Cantalapiedra, J L
  • Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions und Biodiversitätsforschung, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany. jlopezcant@gmail.com.
  • Departamento de Paleobiología, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
Prado, J L
  • Instituto de Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano (INCUAPA), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN), Del Valle 5737, B7400JWI Olavarría, Argentina.
Hernández Fernández, M
  • Departamento de Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), José Antonio Novais 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
  • Departamento de Cambio Medioambiental, Instituto de Geociencias, UCM, CSIC, José Antonio Novais 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Alberdi, M T
  • Departamento de Paleobiología, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Genetic Speciation
  • Genetic Variation
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Tooth / anatomy & histology

Citations

This article has been cited 33 times.
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