Rare hybridisations between deeply divergent animal species have been reported for decades in a wide range of taxa, but have often remained unexplained, mainly considered chance events and reported as anecdotal. Here, we combine field observations with long-term data concerning natural hybridisations, climate, land-use, and field-validated species distribution models for two deeply divergent and naturally sympatric toad species in Europe (Bufo bufo and Bufotes viridis species groups). We show that climate warming and seasonal extreme temperatures are conspiring to set the scene for these maladaptive hybridisations, by differentially affecting life-history traits of both species. Our results identify and provide evidence of an ultimate cause for such events, and reveal that the potential influence of climate change on interspecific hybridisations goes far beyond closely related species. Furthermore, climate projections suggest that the chances for these events will steadily increase in the near future.

Climate change promotes hybridisation between deeply divergent species / Canestrelli, Daniele; Bisconti, Roberta; Chiocchio, Andrea; Maiorano, Luigi; Zampiglia, Mauro; Nascetti, Giuseppe. - In: PEERJ. - ISSN 2167-8359. - ELETTRONICO. - 5:(2017), pp. 1-16. [10.7717/peerj.3072]

Climate change promotes hybridisation between deeply divergent species

CHIOCCHIO, ANDREA;Maiorano, Luigi;Nascetti, Giuseppe
2017

Abstract

Rare hybridisations between deeply divergent animal species have been reported for decades in a wide range of taxa, but have often remained unexplained, mainly considered chance events and reported as anecdotal. Here, we combine field observations with long-term data concerning natural hybridisations, climate, land-use, and field-validated species distribution models for two deeply divergent and naturally sympatric toad species in Europe (Bufo bufo and Bufotes viridis species groups). We show that climate warming and seasonal extreme temperatures are conspiring to set the scene for these maladaptive hybridisations, by differentially affecting life-history traits of both species. Our results identify and provide evidence of an ultimate cause for such events, and reveal that the potential influence of climate change on interspecific hybridisations goes far beyond closely related species. Furthermore, climate projections suggest that the chances for these events will steadily increase in the near future.
2017
Climate change; Hybridisation; Life-history traits; Pre-mating reproductive barriers; Neuroscience (all); Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (all); Agricultural and Biological Sciences (all)
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Climate change promotes hybridisation between deeply divergent species / Canestrelli, Daniele; Bisconti, Roberta; Chiocchio, Andrea; Maiorano, Luigi; Zampiglia, Mauro; Nascetti, Giuseppe. - In: PEERJ. - ISSN 2167-8359. - ELETTRONICO. - 5:(2017), pp. 1-16. [10.7717/peerj.3072]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1087281
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