I investigated the historical basis for variation in regional species diversity. I used a molecular phylogenetic analysis within a single genus of birds (the Old World leaf warblers, genus Phylloscopus) in conjunction with ecological studies in Europe, the Himalayas, and Japan to evaluate the importance of historical events in shaping the present constellation of morphology and behavior in the three different regions. The relatively depauperate assemblages have different histories. In Japan, there was invasion of several lineages, which have more closely related species elsewhere in Asia, whereas in Europe there was also limited in situ speciation. Much of the structure of peripheral communities is attributable to invasions from species-rich Asia, with little in situ morphological diversification. Within the Phylloscopus there are several phylogenetic clades with nonoverlapping size distributions. Major ecological and morphological shifts occurred early in the history of diversification within the group, and rarely since.
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