Latitudinal Trends Reveal Molecular Rate Variation in Vertebrates

Quick Summary

• Researchers tested a hypothesis that higher species richness near teh equator results from elevated temperatures increasing molecular rates, leading too rapid speciation.
• The study analyzed 5,424 mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences.
• Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 122, Issue 19, May 2025.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The findings contribute valuable insights into biodiversity patterns globally and especially hold relevance for India as it is indeed partly situated in tropical zones rich in diversity.understanding molecular mechanisms driving speciation could provide a scientific basis for sustaining biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats or Sundarbans amid challenges such as climate change. Additionally, studies like this underline india’s role as a potential hub for further research that bridges genetic science with ecology conservation at home and across tropical regions worldwide-an area ripe for government-sponsored scientific collaborations.

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