Trapped indoors? Long-distance dispersal in mygalomorph spiders and its effect on species ranges

AbstractOne flowering specimen of Ophrys bertolonii (s. str.) — a plant with a Circum-Adriatic distribution and hitherto unknown in other regions — was found on 7th May 2010 in the vicinity of Kunadacs (Central Hungary; N 47°00′ E 19°17′). The nearest known populations of this Mediterranean plant inhabit the Adriatic coast (ca. 450 km away) in Croatia, therefore this new occurrence represents a significant long distance dispersal event. The circumstances of the occurrence argue against introduction, but we can not decide now whether this new appearance is temporary or permanent. The permanent establishment of this strictly entomophilous plant requires the presence of its specific pollinator in the close neighbourhood of the habitat. However, no pollination was observed on the three flowers of the plant until 9th May, and one day later the stem had disappeared most likely due to grazing. Whatever the long-term fate of the plant is, this discovery represents a significant long distance (jump) dispersal event, and testifies to the dispersal ability of Ophrys species. Additionally, the appearance of a mature Adriatic plant in Central Europe fits well into the currently observed, climate change driven northward expansion of European orchids, therefore this finding most likely reflects a growing Mediterranean-like climatic influence in the region.

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Parallel speciation or long-distance dispersal? Lessons from seaweeds (Fucus ) in the Baltic Sea

Journal of Evolutionary Biology ◽

10.1111/jeb.12170 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 1727-1737 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

R. T. Pereyra ◽

C. Huenchuñir ◽

D. Johansson ◽

H. Forslund ◽

L. Kautsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Baltic Sea ◽

Long Distance Dispersal ◽

The Baltic Sea ◽

Long Distance ◽

The Baltic

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First freshwater gastropod preserved in amber suggests long-distance dispersal during the Cretaceous Period

Geological Magazine ◽

10.1017/s0016756821000285 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Tingting Yu ◽

Thomas A. Neubauer ◽

Adrienne Jochum

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Freshwater Snail ◽

Aquatic Biota ◽

Long Distance Dispersal ◽

Long Distance ◽

Burmese Amber ◽

Freshwater Gastropod ◽

The Family ◽

Cretaceous Period ◽

Globally Distributed

Abstract Burmese amber continues to provide unique insights into the terrestrial biota inhabiting tropical equatorial forests during mid-Cretaceous time. In contrast to the large amount and great diversity of terrestrial species retrieved so far, aquatic biota constitute rare inclusions. Here we describe the first freshwater snail ever preserved in amber. The new species Galba prima sp. nov. belongs in the family Lymnaeidae, today a diverse and near globally distributed family. Its inclusion in terrestrial amber is probably a result of the amphibious lifestyle typical of modern representatives of the genus. The finding of a freshwater snail on the Burma Terrane, back then an island situated at some 1500 km from mainland Asia, has implications for the dispersal mechanisms of Mesozoic lymnaeids. The Cenomanian species precedes the evolution of waterfowl, which are today considered a main vector for long-distance dispersal. In their absence, we discuss several hypotheses to explain the disjunct occurrence of the new species.

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