Geographic Variation and Speciation in Appalachian Salamanders (Plethodon jordani Group)
Hairston NG and Pope CH. 1948. Geographic Variation and Speciation in Appalachian Salamanders (Plethodon jordani Group). Evolution. 2(3):266 - 278
The authors studied a large sample of P. jordani from 9 localities. Their conclusion was that geographic isolation was the chief cause of speciation. Geographic variation in the Plethodon jordani group was studied by analyzing a number of characters in large samples from nine critical localities. Three allopatric forms between which gene flow has apparently ceased were distinguished on the basis of this analysis; one of these is polytypic, the other two monotypic. The characters analyzed overlap in such a way in the polytypic form that the situation cannot be accurately represented by nomenclature. This necessitates a somewhat arbitrary taxonomic assignment of names to the various populations. Speculations are made on phylogeny and relationships. These speculations are based on the morphology and on the present distribution, not only of the jordani group but of certain more primitive species of Plethodon as well. The conclusion is that speciation has resulted from geographic isolation, a process that is evidently continuing.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Hairston, Nelson; Pope, Clifford
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC TN, GRSM-00592, Speciation