Geological dates and molecular rates: rapid divergence of rivers and their biotas.
We highlight a novel molecular clock calibration system based on geologically dated river reversal and river capture events. Changes in drainage pattern may effect vicariant isolation of freshwater taxa, and thus provide a predictive framework for associated phylogeographic study. As a case in point, New Zealand's Pelorus and Kaituna rivers became geologically isolated from the larger Wairau River system 70 to 130 kyr BP. We conducted mitochondrial DNA phylogeographic analyses of two unrelated freshwater-limited fish taxa native to these river systems (Gobiomorphus breviceps, n = 63; Galaxias divergens, n = 95). Phylogenetic analysis of combined control region and cytochrome b sequences yielded reciprocally monophyletic clades of Pelorus-Kaituna and Wairau haplotypes for each species. Calibrated rates of molecular change based on this freshwater vicariant event are substantially faster than traditionally accepted rates for fishes but consistent with other recent inferences based on geologically young calibration points. A survey of freshwater phylogeographic literature reveals numerous examples in which the ages of recent evolutionary events may have been substantially overestimated through the use of "accepted" calibrations. We recommend that--wherever possible--biologists should start to reassess the conclusions of such studies by using more appropriate molecular calibrations derived from recent geological events.
Waters
Jonathan M
JM
Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. jonathan.waters@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Rowe
Diane L
DL
Apte
Smita
S
King
Tania M
TM
Wallis
Graham P
GP
Anderson
Leigh
L
Norris
Richard J
RJ
Craw
Dave
D
Burridge
Christopher P
CP
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005843:Geography; D006239:Haplotypes; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D036441:Osmeriformes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D010473:Perciformes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D045483:Rivers; D014872:Water Movements
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial