Evaluating mechanisms of diversification in a Guineo-Congolian tropical forest frog using demographic model selection

摘要: The accumulation of biodiversity in tropical forests can occur through multiple allopatric and parapatric models diversification, including forest refugia, riverine barriers ecological gradients. Considerable debate surrounds the major diversification process, particularly West African Lower Guinea forests, which contain a complex geographic arrangement topographic features historical refugia. We used genomic data to investigate alternative mechanisms Gaboon frog, Scotobleps gabonicus, by first identifying population structure then performing demographic model selection spatially explicit analyses. found that majority divergences are best explained consistent with refugia hypothesis involve divergence isolation subsequent expansion gene flow. These occurred simultaneously conform predictions based on climatically stable regions inferred niche modelling. Although played prominent role intraspecific S. gabonicus, we also find evidence for potential interactions between landscape rivers elevational such as Cameroonian Volcanic Line. outline advantages using genomewide variation model-testing framework distinguish hypotheses, pitfalls limited molecular sampling. phylogeographic patterns often species-specific related life-history traits, additional comparative studies incorporating necessary separating shared processes from idiosyncratic responses environmental, climatic geological influences diversification.