Niche dynamics in the European ranges of two African carnivores reflect their dispersal and demographic histories

摘要: According to recent phylogeographical evidence, the common genet (Genetta genetta) and Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) have dissimilar dispersal histories from Maghreb south-western Europe. Through comparative ecological niche modelling based on >1100 occurrences, we assessed whether dynamics (i.e. shift versus conservatism) of two species in their European ranges reflected DNA-based demographic scenarios. Sensitivity analyses projections climatic models species' native (Africa Middle East) Europe yielded support for (1) partial northern range (2) conservatism mongoose. Our results were consistent with scenarios that predicted multiple introductions expansion long-term, stable historical demography further a north-western France Italy, progression into Near East. Overall, our study suggested scenario different these African carnivores, supporting view factors such as history may shape thus distribution potential colonized ranges. © 2015 The Linnean Society London, Biological Journal Society, 2015, 114, 737–751.