DONOGHUE, M.J.: The Integrative Nature of Historical Biogeography

I will argue that historical biogeography has failed to live up to its potential because the objectives of the discipline have remained uncertain and because its methods have failed to properly integrate the variety of relevant inputs. Specifically, in the development of cladistic biogeography evidence on the absolute timing of speciation and vicariance-causing events has been marginalized, which in turn compromises the ability to interpret general area cladograms. This point will be illustrated with reference to problems in both Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere biogeography. These observations highlight the need for new biogeographical methods. They also bear on the development of a general theory of biological associations, subsuming historical connections between species and areas, hosts and parasites, and genes and species. Finally, the case of historical biogeography illustrates the need for a general conceptual framework for integrative biology.