Niche expansion and adaptive divergence in the global radiation of crows and ravens

Joan Garcia-Porta (), Daniel Sol, Matt Pennell, Ferran Sayol, Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou and Carlos A. Botero
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Joan Garcia-Porta: Washington University in St. Louis
Daniel Sol: CREAF, Centre for Ecological Research and Applied Forestries
Matt Pennell: University of British Columbia
Ferran Sayol: University College London
Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou: Universitat de Barcelona
Carlos A. Botero: Washington University in St. Louis

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The processes that allow some lineages to diversify rapidly at a global scale remain poorly understood. Although earlier studies emphasized the importance of dispersal, global expansions expose populations to novel environments and may also require adaptation and diversification across new niches. In this study, we investigated the contributions of these processes to the global radiation of crows and ravens (genus Corvus). Combining a new phylogeny with comprehensive phenotypic and climatic data, we show that Corvus experienced a massive expansion of the climatic niche that was coupled with a substantial increase in the rates of species and phenotypic diversification. The initiation of these processes coincided with the evolution of traits that promoted dispersal and niche expansion. Our findings suggest that rapid global radiations may be better understood as processes in which high dispersal abilities synergise with traits that, like cognition, facilitate persistence in new environments.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29707-5

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