Natural and life history correlates of genetic diversity in tropical frogs

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Miguel Vences
• Subject Area: Evolution, Anthropology
• Term: from 2011 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 190323899

This project proposes to explore correlates and determinants of phylogeographic structure and genetic diversity in tropical amphibian species from three model regions, Madagascar, Brazil, and Cuba. We posit the hypothesis that reproductive mode, historical habitat stability and environmental niche breadth are the main determinants of phylogeographic structure of tropical amphibians. To test this hypothesis we will determine DNA sequences of 1 mitochondrial and 3 nuclear gene across the ranges of 6 frog species per model region, reconstruct their phylogeography and genetic diversity within and among populations, model their past and present potential distribution areas and environmental niche breath, and analyze these data in a meta-analyses using a variety of univariate and multivariate statistical procedures. We expect our study to provide conclusive answers on the possible influence of reproductive mode on phylogeographic structure of tropical amphibians and of the correlation of mitochondrial and nuclear gene diversity in these animals, plus numerous indications of other factors possibly correlated with amphibian genetic diversity and speciation that we will thus make accessible for well-focused future studies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants