Galápagos Islands Testudinidae Macroevolution

Our Executive Summary

This project utilizes MiSSE (Missing State Speciation and Extinction) modeling to analyze macroevolutionary patterns in the Galápagos Islands' Chelonoidis tortoises. We will specifically examine the interplay between body size evolution, diversification rates, and morphological change within this group. MiSSE is a phylogenetic comparative method that models speciation and extinction rates, allowing for the analysis of hidden and observed states that influence diversification. Using a time-calibrated phylogeny, we apply MiSSE to estimate diversification rates and model body size evolution. Our primary goal is to determine the correlation between diversification rates and ecological/morphological divergence in Galápagos tortoises. Preliminary findings suggest a potential decoupling between species diversification and body size evolution. We aim to further investigate these findings through robust MiSSE modeling. To disseminate our research, we will create a website to host our findings, including interactive visualizations, data summaries, and our research paper. This research will provide insights into the role of the Galápagos Islands environment in driving biodiversity and adaptive radiation, contributing to our understanding of evolutionary processes in these island-endemic tortoises.