Geographic range size, life history and rates of diversification in Australian mammals

What causes species richness to vary among different groups of organisms? Two hypotheses are that large geographical ranges and fast life history either reduce extinction rates or raise speciation rates, elevating a clade's rate of diversification. Here we present a comparative analysis of these hypotheses using data on the phylogenetic relationships, geographical ranges and life history of the terrestrial mammal fauna of Australia. By comparing species richness patterns to null models, we show that species are distributed nonrandomly among genera. Using sister-clade comparisons to control for clade age, we then find that faster diversification is significantly associated with larger geographical ranges and larger litters, but there is no evidence for an effect of body size or age at first breeding on diversification rates. We believe the most likely explanation for these patterns is that larger litters and geographical ranges increase diversification rates because they buffer species from extinction. We also discuss the possibility that positive effects of litter size and range size on diversification rates result from elevated speciation rates.

A morphological reappraisal of the immature stages and life history of Elachista synethes Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae), an Australian leaf miner alien to Chile

ABSTRACT Elachista synethes was recently recognized as an alien species in northern Chile, where its larvae mine the rescue grass Bromus catharticus (Poaceae). In order to provide the necessary information to allow field detection of E. synethes during early ontogeny, we conducted a morphological reappraisal of the immature stages of this leaf-miner moth, based on light and scanning electron microscopy, including the first descriptions of the egg and the first-instar larva. This is the first report of the existence of an apodal early larva for a species of Elachista Treitschke. The legs and prolegs are absent in the first two instars, but are well developed in the last two. Additional observations on the life history are also provided, including a description of the mine.

Phycologia australica; or, A history of Australian sea weeds ... and a synopsis of all known Australian Algae ... By William Henry Harvey.

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The newspaper press of Charleston, S.C. : a chronological and biographical history, embracing a period of one hundred and forty years /

Mode of access: Internet.

History of the transition from provincial to commonwealth government in Massachusetts.

"List of titles": p. 280-281.

A brief history of printing in America, containing a brief sketch of the development of the newspaper and some notes on publishers who have especially contributed to printing

"Supplementary reading": p. 84.

A short history of paper-money and banking in the United States. Including an account of provincial and continental paper-money. To which is prefixed, An inquiry into the principles of the system.

Microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich., University Microfilms [n.d.] (American culture series, Reel 265.12)

A brief history of the church in Upper Canada : containing the acts of Parliament, imperial and provincial, royal instructions, proceedings of the deputation, correspondence with the government, clergy reserves' question, &c. &c. /

Mode of access: Internet.

The history of Australian exploration from 1788 to 1888 : compiled from state documents, private papers, and the most authentic sources of information. Issued under the auspices of the governments of the Australian colonies /

Facsimile of title page. Originally published : Sydney : Turner & Henderson, 1888.