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Fern speciation and biogeography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

Rolla Tryon
Affiliation:
The Gray Herbarium, Harvard University, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Mass. 02138, U.S.A.
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Synopsis

The most common kinds of speciation result in new species that initially have a small range. These will develop a limited or an extensive range depending upon the geographic extent of the environment to which they are adapted. A significant element in the extent of the potential range of a new species is the adaptation inherited from the parental species. Selection of a parental species for a local environment at one site can lead to a narrow ecological adaptation and often to a limited potential range. These species are likely to produce derived ones that also have a limited range, and these derivates will increase the regional species endemism and diversity. Selection of a parental species for migration to other sites can lead to a broader ecological adaptation and often to a broad potential range. These species are more likely to produce derived ones that also have an extensive range, and these derivates will increase regional species diversity.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1985

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