Data from: The legacy of Eastern Mediterranean mountain uplifts – rapid disparity of phylogenetic niche conservatism and divergence in mountain vipers

Aim The orogeny of the eastern Mediterranean region has substantially affected ecological speciation patterns, particularly of mountain-dwelling species. Mountain vipers of the genus Montivipera are among the paramount examples of Mediterranean neo-endemism, with restricted ranges in the mountains of Anatolia, the Levant, Caucasus, Alborz, and Zagros. Here we explore the phylogenetic and ecological diversification of Montivipera to reconstruct its ecological niche evolution and biogeographic history. Location Eastern Mediterranean mountain ecosystems Methods Using 177 sequences of three mitochondrial genes, a dated molecular phylogeny of mountain vipers was reconstructed. Based on 320 occurrence points within the entire range of the genus and six climatic variables, ecological niches were modelled and used to infer ancestral niche occupancy. In addition, the biogeographic history and ancestral states of the species were reconstructed across climate gradients. Results Dated phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that the ancestor of mountain vipers split into two major clades at around 12.18 Mya followed by multiple vicariance events due to rapid orogeny. Montivipera colonised coastal regions from a mountain-dwelling ancestor. We detected a highly complex ecological niche evolution of mountain vipers to temperature seasonality measured by means of a strong phylogenetic signal. Conclusion Raising mountain belts in the Eastern Mediterranean region and subsequent remarkable changes in temperature seasonality have led to the formation of important centres of diversification and endemism in this biodiversity hotspot. High rates of niche conservatism, low genetic diversity, and segregation of ranges into the endemic distribution negatively influenced the adaptive capacity of mountain vipers. We suggest that these species should be considered as evolutionary significant units and priority species for conservation in Mediterranean mountain ecosystems.

研究目的：地中海东部区域的造山运动极大地影响了生态物种形成格局，尤以山地栖息类群的相关模式最为显著。山地蝰蛇属（Montivipera）的山地蝰蛇是地中海新特有种的典型代表类群，其分布仅局限于安纳托利亚、黎凡特、高加索、厄尔布尔士及扎格罗斯山脉区域。本研究旨在探究山地蝰蛇的系统发育与生态分化历程，以重建其生态位演化与生物地理历史。
研究区域：地中海东部山地生态系统
研究方法：本研究依托该属全分布范围内的320条物种分布记录点与6个气候变量，结合177条来自三个线粒体基因的序列数据，重建了山地蝰蛇的时间校准分子系统发育树。基于上述分布数据与气候变量，构建生态位模型并以此推断祖先生态位占据情况；此外，还针对气候梯度重建了该类群的生物地理历史与祖先性状状态。
研究结果：时间校准的系统发育重建结果显示，山地蝰蛇的祖先类群于约12.18百万年前分化为两大主要演化支，后续因快速造山运动发生多次隔离分化事件。山地蝰蛇的祖先类群由山地栖息环境扩散至沿海区域。本研究检测到山地蝰蛇针对温度季节性的生态位演化过程极为复杂，且该特征存在较强的系统发育信号。
研究结论：地中海东部区域的造山抬升作用，以及后续温度季节性的显著变化，共同造就了该生物多样性热点区域重要的物种分化中心与特有分布中心。山地蝰蛇表现出较高的生态位保守性、较低的遗传多样性，且分布范围狭窄呈特有分布格局，这些特征均对其适应性演化能力造成了负面影响。我们建议将该类群物种视为进化显著单元（evolutionary significant units），并将其列为地中海山地生态系统中的优先保护物种。