It suggests the Tenerife weevils likely out-competed the newcomers, but more importantly revealed how genetic tools can uncover past extinctions otherwise lost to time, helping us to better understand island ecosystems! Read the full Special Issue paper below (6/6) 👇
doi.org/10.1093/evol...

What was found was unexpected: a clear pattern of colonisation & loss! Nuclear genetic data suggested the La Palma weevil originated only from Tenerife, but the mtDNA suggested otherwise, suggesting a second colonisation from Gran Canaria occurred that was short lived! What does this mean? (5/6) 🌍

Focusing on Laparocerus auarita from La Palma, researchers believed they may have evolved from Tenerife & Gran Canaria. But did they hybridise? Using DNA analysis, genetic markers were compared across these species, & the population structure & genetic diversity of were examined...(4/6)

Insects are good model species as their limited dispersal ability, fast generation time, diversity & abundance make them sensitive to changes. They often evolve unique lineages even when separated only short distances, as is the case for weevils of the Canary Islands...but how do they differ? (3/6)

Islands offer an ideal setting to study evolution in action, with their isolation enabling scientists to study speciation in action. When individuals colonise a new island, they often adapt to its unique conditions, evolving into a new species, though not all attempts are successful...(2/6) 🌍🧪

Comparing 24 historical specimens with 89 modern individuals from the nearby Genovesa island, Darwin specimens showed morphological convergence. What does this mean? Hybrid introgression, resulting in a rare example of REVERSE speciation! Read more below 👇🧪🌍
doi.org/10.1093/evol...