Data from: Exploring rainforest diversification using demographic model testing in the African foam-nest treefrog (Chiromantis rufescens)

Aim: Species with wide distributions spanning the African Guinean and
Congolian rainforests are often composed of genetically distinct
populations or cryptic species with geographic distributions that mirror
the locations of the remaining forest habitats. We used phylogeographic
inference and demographic model testing to evaluate diversification models
in a widespread rainforest species, the African Foam-nest Treefrog
(Chiromantis rufescens). Location: Guinean and Congolian rainforests, West
and Central Africa. Taxon: Chiromantis rufescens. Methods: We collected
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data
for 130 samples of Chiromantis rufescens. After estimating population
structure and inferring species trees using coalescent methods, we tested
demographic models to evaluate alternative population divergence histories
that varied with respect to gene flow, population size change, and periods
of isolation and secondary contact. Species distribution models were used
to identify regions of climatic stability that could have served as forest
refugia since the Last Interglacial. Results: Population structure within
Chiromantis rufescens resembles the major biogeographic regions of the
Guinean and Congolian forests. Coalescent-based phylogenetic analyses
provide strong support for an early divergence between the western Upper
Guinean forest and the remaining populations. Demographic inferences
support diversification models with gene flow and population size changes
even in cases where contemporary populations are currently allopatric,
which provides support for forest refugia and barrier models. Species
distribution models suggest that forest refugia were available for each of
the populations throughout the Pleistocene. Main conclusions: Considering
historical demography is essential for understanding population
diversification, especially in complex landscapes such as those found in
the Guineo-Congolian forest. Population demographic inferences help
connect patterns of genetic variation to diversification model
predictions. The diversification history of Chiromantis rufescens was
shaped by a variety of processes, including vicariance from river
barriers, forest fragmentation, and adaptive evolution along environmental
gradients.