Miocene rivers and taxon cycles clarify the comparative biogeography of North American highland fishes

摘要: Aim Our aims were: (1) to use recently published phylogenies of six widely distributed clades highland-type fishes in a comparative analysis that investigates relationships among North American highlands; (2) construct map relevant (pre-historic) river geography; and (3) apply ecological paradigms interpret patterns highland-fish cladogenesis. Our principal questions does highland endemism correspond pre-historic drainages; do speciation conform any paradigm? Location Twenty-two highlands, east west from Appalachia the Basin Range, north south Canadian Shield Mesa Central. Methods We used three-item find shared highland-area relationships, we dated geological literature relevant, drainages. We applied taxon-cycle concept results. Results Three-item identified 375 most-parsimonious trees with retention index 80.4%. An intersection tree reconstructed three-area statements had completeness 80.3%. Nodes on seven major branches one eight areas each were congruent late Miocene drainage patterns. Sister-area within nodes Plio-Pleistocene events. Older taxa have restricted distributions some younger members clade are broadly distributed, consistent predictions taxon cycle. Main conclusions Progenitors endemics widespread across an aggraded, alluvial landscape by early Miocene. Middle rearrangements facilitated further range expansion. Accelerated erosion middle Miocene, caused tectonic uplift climate change, created (sediment-starved) habitats. Parallel colonization adaptation these habitats geographical isolation Pliocene led endemics. allowed populations tolerant (derivative) expand again colonize areas, including emerging ones.