7/8 Our study highlights the need for more studies on #population #persistence and on the #bridging the #gap between #micro- and #macroevolution (and we hope our framework helps with that!)

5/8 BUT—here's the twist: Despite this signal, we found no #link between #metapopulation #persistence and #speciation #rates. 🤔

4/8 First, we identified an index of #metapopulation #persistence that showed a #phylogenetic #signal—suggesting some traits that affect #demography may be evolutionarily conserved.

3/8 To test this, we developed a #framework linking #metapopulation properties to #speciation rates in a phylogenetic context. Then, we put it to the test with a unique dataset on #demersal #fish communities from the North American continental shelf. 🐟

2/8 The idea: #Species with traits that stabilize their populations (#metapopulation #persistence) should have a better chance of persisting over timescales relevant to #speciation, potentially producing more descendant species with similar traits