Publication
Title
Global distribution modelling of a conspicuous Gondwanian soil protist reveals latitudinal dispersal limitation and range contraction in response to climate warming
Author
Abstract
Aim: The diversity and distribution of soil microorganisms and their potential for long- distance dispersal (LDD) are poorly documented, making the threats posed by climate change difficult to assess. If microorganisms do not disperse globally, regional end- emism may develop and extinction may occur due to environmental changes. Here, we addressed this question using the testate amoeba Apodera vas, a morphologically conspicuous model soil microorganism in microbial biogeography, commonly found in peatlands and forests mainly of former Gondwana. We first documented its distribu- tion. We next assessed whether its distribution could be explained by dispersal (i.e. matching its climatic niche) or vicariance (i.e. palaeogeography), based on the magni- tude of potential range expansions or contractions in response to past and on-going climatic changes. Last, we wanted to assess the likelihood of cryptic diversity and its potential threat from climate and land-use changes (e.g. due to limited LDD). Location: Documented records: Southern Hemisphere and intertropical zone; model- ling: Global. Methods: We first built an updated global distribution map of A. vas using 401 vali- dated georeferenced records. We next used these data to develop a climatic niche model to predict its past (LGM, i.e. 21 ± 3 ka BP; PMIP3 IPSL-CM5A-LR), present and future (IPSL-CMP6A-LR predictions for 2071–2100, SSP3 and 5) potential distribu- tions in responses to climate, by relating the species occurrences to climatic and topo- graphic predictors. We then used these predictions to test our hypotheses (dispersal/ vicariance, cryptic diversity, future threat from LDD limitation). Results: Our models show that favourable climatic conditions for A. vas currently exist in the British Isles, an especially well-studied region for testate amoebae where this species has never been found. This demonstrates a lack of interhemispheric LDD, congruent with the palaeogeography (vicariance) hypothesis. Longitudinal LDD is, however, confirmed by the presence of A. vas in isolated and geologically young peri- Antarctic islands. Potential distribution maps for past, current and future climates show favourable climatic conditions existing on parts of all southern continents, with shifts to higher land from LGM to current in the tropics and a strong range con- traction from current to future (global warming IPSL-CM6A-LR scenario for 2071– 2100, SSP3.70 and SSP5.85) with favourable conditions developing on the Antarctic Peninsula. Main Conclusions: This study illustrates the value of climate niche models for re- search on microbial diversity and biogeography, along with exploring the role played by historical factors and dispersal limitation in shaping microbial biogeography. We assess the discrepancy between latitudinal and longitudinal LDD for A. vas, which is possibly due to contrast in wind patterns and/or likelihood of transport by birds. Our models also suggest that climate change may lead to regional extinction of terrestrial microscopic organisms, thus illustrating the pertinence of including microorganisms in biodiversity conservation research and actions.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Diversity and distributions : a journal of biological invasions and biodiversity. - Oxford, 1997, currens
Publication
Oxford : 2024
ISSN
1366-9516 [print]
1472-4642 [online]
DOI
10.1111/DDI.13779
Volume/pages
30 :2 (2024) , p. 1-21
Article Reference
e13779
ISI
001082369700001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
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Publication type
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Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
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Creation 21.10.2023
Last edited 28.02.2024
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