A topoclimate model for Quaternary insular speciation

Aim. Understanding speciation as a process on islands, particularly speciation within individual islands, is key to explain the high levels of invertebrate speciation that characterise many oceanic islands and archipelagos. Here we propose an insular topoclimate model for Quaternary diversification (ITQD), and test the general prediction that, within a radially eroded conical island, within glacial climate conditions facilitate the divergence of populations within species across valleys.

Location. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.

Taxon. The Laparocerus tessellatus beetle species complex (Coleoptera, Curculionidae).

Methods. We characterise individual-level genomic relationships using single nucleotide polymorphisms produced by double-digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq). A range of parameter values were explored in order to filter our data. We assess individual relatedness, species boundaries, demographic history and spatial patterns of connectivity.

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