Speciation across biomes: Rapid diversification with reproductive isolation in the Australian delicate mice

• DOI: 10.1111/mec.17301
• Publication Date: 2024-02-22T10:02:17Z
• Authors: Emily Roycroft; Fred Ford; Till Ramm; Rhiannon Schembri; William G. Breed; Phoebe A. Burns; Kevin C. Rowe; Craig Moritz
• Keywords: Reproductive isolation; Introgression; Biome; Species complex

Phylogeographic studies of continental clades, especially when combined with palaeoclimate modelling, provide powerful insight into how environment drives speciation across climatic contexts. Australia, a continent characterized by disparate modern biomes and dynamic climate change, provides diverse opportunity to reconstruct the impact past present environments on diversification. Here, we use genomic-scale data (1310 exons whole mitogenomes from 111 samples) investigate Pleistocene diversification, cryptic diversity, secondary contact in Australian delicate mice (Hydromyini: Pseudomys), recent radiation spanning almost all environments. Across northern find no evidence for introgression between lineages within Pseudomys delicatulus sensu lato, models supporting contraction expansion suitable habitat since last glacial maximum. Despite multiple zones, also little at scale, exception potential hybrid zone mesic biome. In arid zone, insights genetic palaeomodels support specialist P. hermannsburgensis semi-arid bolami. face repeated contact, differences sperm morphology chromosomal rearrangements are mechanisms that maintain species boundaries these recently diverged species. Additionally, describe western mouse as new recommend taxonomic reinstatement eastern mouse. Overall, show an evolutionarily young widespread clade has been driven environmental potentially maintained divergence reproductive chromosome rearrangements.