Publications by authors named "L Chikhi"
Most methods currently used to infer the "demographic history of species" interpret this expression as a history of population size changes. The detection, quantification, and dating of demographic changes often rely on the assumption that population structure can be neglected. However, most vertebrates are typically organized in populations subdivided into social groups that are usually ignored in the interpretation of genetic data.
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- Genomic and ancient DNA data have dramatically changed our understanding of human evolution, particularly with the successful sequencing of Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes.
- The theory of interbreeding between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens has evolved from skepticism to general acceptance, largely based on statistical models that may overlook the complexities of population structure.
- Research using simulated data revealed that many existing models inaccurately identified admixture events and emphasized the need to consider population structure for a more accurate understanding of human evolutionary history.
Species ranges are dynamic, experiencing expansions, contractions or shifts in response to habitat changes driven by extrinsic factors such as climate change or human activities. While existing research examines the genetic consequences of spatial processes, few studies integrate species-specific traits to analyse how habitat changes affect co-existing species. In this study, we address this gap by investigating how genetic diversity patterns vary among species with different traits (such as generation length, population density and dispersal) experiencing similar habitat changes.
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- * The article proposes a comprehensive approach to accurately define species boundaries, using integrated evidence and focusing on geographic isolation, specifically applied to the mouse lemurs, a debated group of primates.
- * The study reveals that previous estimates of species diversity were inflated, mainly mistaking geographic variation for new species, and suggests that a clearer understanding of species limits can inform better conservation strategies.
Article Synopsis
- * Bushpigs (Potamochoerus larvatus) and red river hogs (P. porcus) were once thought to be the same species due to their morphological differences and lack of interbreeding, but genetic analysis reveals a more complex relationship with evidence of historical gene flow.
- * The study suggests that instead of being distinct species, bushpigs and red river hogs may represent incompletely speciation, and that Malagasy bushpigs diverged from their southern African relatives during a population bottleneck that coincided with human arrival in Madagascar.