Biogeographical affinities of the biota of the Tres Marías Islands, Mexico

The Tres Marías Islands, a UNESCO-listed protected area in Mexico's Gulf of California, exhibit complex biogeographical affinities shaped by tectonic history and dispersal events. Research reveals that the islands' biota primarily aligns with Neotropical regions, particularly the Pacific Lowlands and Veracruzan provinces, while also showing significant Nearctic connections to the Sonoran province. This dual affinity suggests a dynamic assembly process influenced by both vicariance (geological fragmentation) and dispersal during the Miocene–Pleistocene epochs, including periods of glaciation. The study integrates phylogenetic and cladistic analyses to uncover three distinct biogeographical patterns: Neotropical, Sonoran-Neotropical, and Nearctic-Neotropical, highlighting the islands as a critical intersection zone for biodiversity.

García-Navarrete, P. G., Sánchez-González, L. A., & Morrone, J. J. (2023). Biogeographical affinities of the biota of the Tres Marías Islands, Mexico. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 141(3), 332–347. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blad101