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The Role of Ecological Niche Divergence in Shaping Hybridization Patterns in Testudo graeca

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Title: The Role of Ecological Niche Divergence in Shaping Hybridization Patterns in Testudo graeca
Authors: Neda Ranjbar, Mansoureh Malekian, Mohammad Reza Ashrafzadeh, Szilvia Kusza, Mahmoud-Reza Hemami
Source: Diversity, Vol 17, Iss 9, p 653 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Biology (General)
Subject Terms: evolutionary significant units (ESUs), ecological niche modeling (ENM), genetic structure, hybrid zone, microsatellite loci, niche overlap, Biology (General), QH301-705.5
Description: Determining evolutionary significant units (ESUs) is essential for the purpose of biological conservation. Recent definitions of ESUs stress the importance of using ecological data with molecular analysis. The present work aimed to study the genetic structure and ecological niche of the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in its contact zone, with a special focus on hybridization between T. g. buxtoni and T. g. zarudnyi in Central Iran using a combination of genetic data (microsatellite markers) and ecological niche modeling (ENM). Our results indicated that despite the distinct mitochondrial clades, nuclear markers reveal gene flow between the two subspecies, especially in the contact zone, with the majority of hybrids belonging to T. g. zarudnyi. The genetic structure of T. graeca reflects a complex interplay of ancient vicariance and recent gene flow. While mitochondrial markers suggest long-term separation, nuclear markers reveal more recent hybridization events. The results obtained from ENMs demonstrated the niche differentiations. Climatic variables, such as annual rainfall and temperature seasonality, primarily drive the distribution of both subspecies. The western clade is associated with higher precipitation and lower temperature variability. These findings suggest that both subspecies hold valuable evolutionary and conservation issues. Based on these mentioned results, we strongly recommend assigning the two subspecies as ESUs to enhance the accuracy of conservation measurements. We believe that understanding the ecological factors influencing species distribution, along with molecular analysis under the recent concept of ESUs, can provide valuable insights into the conservation and management of the T. graeca complex in its wide geographic range.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1424-2818
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/9/653; https://doaj.org/toc/1424-2818
DOI: 10.3390/d17090653
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/8c5ee03b0337464bbfdafe2ccf43fafc
Accession Number: edsdoj.8c5ee03b0337464bbfdafe2ccf43fafc
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
Abstract:Determining evolutionary significant units (ESUs) is essential for the purpose of biological conservation. Recent definitions of ESUs stress the importance of using ecological data with molecular analysis. The present work aimed to study the genetic structure and ecological niche of the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in its contact zone, with a special focus on hybridization between T. g. buxtoni and T. g. zarudnyi in Central Iran using a combination of genetic data (microsatellite markers) and ecological niche modeling (ENM). Our results indicated that despite the distinct mitochondrial clades, nuclear markers reveal gene flow between the two subspecies, especially in the contact zone, with the majority of hybrids belonging to T. g. zarudnyi. The genetic structure of T. graeca reflects a complex interplay of ancient vicariance and recent gene flow. While mitochondrial markers suggest long-term separation, nuclear markers reveal more recent hybridization events. The results obtained from ENMs demonstrated the niche differentiations. Climatic variables, such as annual rainfall and temperature seasonality, primarily drive the distribution of both subspecies. The western clade is associated with higher precipitation and lower temperature variability. These findings suggest that both subspecies hold valuable evolutionary and conservation issues. Based on these mentioned results, we strongly recommend assigning the two subspecies as ESUs to enhance the accuracy of conservation measurements. We believe that understanding the ecological factors influencing species distribution, along with molecular analysis under the recent concept of ESUs, can provide valuable insights into the conservation and management of the T. graeca complex in its wide geographic range.
ISSN:14242818
DOI:10.3390/d17090653