Extreme Convergence In Stick Insect Evolution: Phylogenetic Placement Of The Lord Howe Island Tree Lobster

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 17 Dec 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The Lord Howe Island Tree Lobster, Dryococelus australis, was thought to be extinct for decades until an exceedingly small population was recently rediscovered on a rocky islet in the South Pacific.

"Tree lobsters" are large ground-dwelling stick insects restricted to New Guinea, New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island. We performed a phylogenetic analysis using molecular data to decipher the evolutionary affinities among "tree lobsters".

Our data reveal that "tree lobsters" are not closely related to each other but evolved independently on separate oceanic islands. Obviously, similar selective pressure repeatedly led to the evolution of extreme convergences in form and behaviour.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences