%0 Journal Article %A Bianca Sclavi %A John Herrick %T Genome size variation and species diversity in salamander families %D 2016 %R 10.1101/065425 %J bioRxiv %P 065425 %X Salamanders (urodela) have among the largest vertebrate genomes, ranging in size from 10 to 120 pg. The urodela are divided into ten extant families each with a characteristic range in genome size. Although changes in genome size often occur randomly and in the absence of selection pressure, non-random patterns of genome size variation are evident among specific vertebrate lineages. Here we report that genome size in salamander families varies inversely with species diversity and other ecological factors: clades that began radiating earlier (older crown age) tend to have smaller genomes, higher levels of diversity and larger geographical ranges. These observations support the hypothesis that urodela families with larger genomes either have a lower propensity to diversify or are more vulnerable to extinction than families with smaller genomes. %U https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2016/07/22/065425.full.pdf