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Dryad

Data from: Ring species dynamics in California mygalomorph spiders (Nemesiidae, Calisoga)

Monjaraz-Ruedas, Rodrigo1; Starrett, James2; Leavitt, Dean3; Hedin, Marshal1

Published Mar 12, 2024 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.70rxwdc47

Data files

Mar 12, 2024 version files 40.61 MB

Abstract

Idealized ring species, with approximately continuous gene flow around a geographic barrier but singular reproductive isolation at a ring terminus, are rare in nature. A broken ring species model preserves the geographic setting and fundamental features of an idealized model but accommodates varying degrees of gene flow restriction over complex landscapes through evolutionary time. Here we examine broken ring species dynamics in Calisoga spiders, which like classic Ensatina salamanders, are distributed around the Central Valley of California. Using nuclear and mitogenomic data we test key predictions of common ancestry, ring-like biogeography, biogeographic timing, population connectivity and terminal overlap. We show that a ring complex of populations shares a single common ancestor, and from an ancestral area in the Sierra Nevada mountains, two distributional and phylogenomic arms encircle the Central Valley. Isolation by distance occurs along these distributional arms, although gene flow restriction is also evident. Where divergent lineages meet in the South Coast Ranges we find rare lineage sympatry, without evidence for nuclear gene flow, and with clear evidence for morphological and ecological divergence. We discuss general insights provided by broken ring species, and how such a model could be explored and extended in other systems and future studies.