Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Courtney J. Marneweck, Todd E. Katzner, David S. Jachowski
Summary: The study indicates that climate has a significant impact on the diversity of scavenger species, with the highest species richness of scavengers observed in relatively warm and dry winters. Additionally, diversity of scavenger species was highest under drier conditions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Mohan Dev Joshi, Chudamani Joshi
Summary: This study analyzed the distribution and spatial pattern of species diversity of vascular plants in Nepal. It identified the high species diversity and endemism areas, and also highlighted the influential environmental and climatic factors. The findings demonstrated the importance of conserving these rich biodiversity areas for protection.
Article
Ecology
Karl A. Roeder, Brittany R. Benson, Michael D. Weiser, Michael Kaspari
Summary: Ecologists investigated the abundance and distribution of three common taxa of litter invertebrates in six North American forests, finding that the relationship between body size and abundance varied and that litter depth only affected abundance in one forest. Invertebrate abundance was found to constrain species richness most of the time.
Article
Ecology
Evan T. Whiting, David L. Fox
Summary: Little is known about the contributions of individual clades to the broader latitudinal diversity gradients of lizards and snakes in North America. Additionally, the environmental variables underpinning these patterns have not been extensively studied, nor have the relationships between squamate species richness and biome variety, a proxy for habitat heterogeneity.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jasna Hodzic, Ian Pearse, Evelyn M. Beaury, Jeffrey D. Corbin, Jonathan D. Bakker
Summary: Root hemiparasitic plants have a significant impact on plant community structure, but do not affect community richness. Hemiparasite abundance is positively associated with evenness of herbaceous species, but not species richness. Hemiparasites play a crucial role in mediating competitive exclusion for species coexistence.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yashwant S. Rawat, Vikram S. Negi, Ihab Mohamed Moussa, Wajid Zaman, Hosam O. Elansary
Summary: The species richness, distribution, and community structure in cold desert regions across the world are poorly understood due to their inaccessibility and remoteness. The structure and composition of forest resources, including other management units, have hardly been studied in the cold desert of the Lahaul valley. This study aimed to understand the trend, structure, and composition of plant species in the cold desert region of the western Himalaya. The findings of the study are useful for gaining an ecological understanding of the cold desert ecosystem in the Lahaul valley and for improving sustainable forest resource management.
Article
Biophysics
Tae-Sung Kwon, Dae-Seong Lee, Won I. L. Choi, Eun-Sook Kim, Young-Seuk Park
Summary: The selection of explanatory variables is crucial in species distribution models for predicting the response to climate change. This study compared the effectiveness of temperature-only and temperature with precipitation models in predicting the distribution of ant species. Most species showed similar results between the two models, except for changes in species richness. The turnover rate of ant assemblages was predicted to increase with decreases in temperature and increases in elevation. Overall, our results highlight the uncertainty in predicting the distribution and diversity of organisms in response to climate change due to the variability of the variables used in the models.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tobias Andermann, Caroline A. E. Stromberg, Alexandre Antonelli, Daniele Silvestro
Summary: A Bayesian deep learning model was used to reconstruct the emergence and expansion of open habitats in North America, utilizing fossil evidence, geologic models, and paleoclimatic proxies. The study suggests that these habitats originated around 23 million years ago and covered over 30% of North America by the onset of the Quaternary glacial cycles, eventually becoming the most prominent natural vegetation type today.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yohann Chauvier, Patrice Descombes, Maya Gueguen, Louise Boulangeat, Wilfried Thuiller, Niklaus E. Zimmermann
Summary: Species distribution models (SDMs) are statistical tools used to predict the geographic distribution of species. The resolution of predictors plays a significant role in model performance and diversity. Previous studies have shown that higher resolution predictors can improve model performance. Our study found that multifaceted diversity, especially relative phylogenetic diversity (rPD), is strongly affected by predictor resolution. Therefore, it is necessary to use higher resolution predictors to explain and predict the distribution of sessile species, particularly in mountain environments. Assessing species diversity is crucial for biodiversity management and conservation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yanjun Du, Yuan Zhao, Shupeng Dong, Guoke Chen, Xinyang Wang, Keping Ma
Summary: Studying the distribution of samara species is important for understanding species dispersal mechanisms, evaluating invasive species risk, and ecological forest management. However, limited research has explored the geographic distribution and influential abiotic factors of samara species on a large scale. In this study, the distribution data of 835 vascular samara species and growth form data in China were analyzed to reveal their geographic patterns and environmental determinants. The findings show that samara species richness is higher in southern China at low altitudes, and woody samara species are more abundant than herbaceous samara species. The distribution of woody samara species is influenced by precipitation, winter conditions, temperature seasonality, and land surface relief degree, while herbaceous samara species prefer warm and dry climates with high temperature seasonality. This research contributes to predicting the global distribution of samara species under future climate change scenarios and informing their conservation and management efforts.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
David P. Wilkinson, Nick Golding, Gurutzeta Guillera-Arroita, Reid Tingley, Michael A. McCarthy
Summary: This study defines four different types of JSDM predictions and five classes of metrics to evaluate these predictions, showing the importance of matching prediction types and evaluation metrics with the specific research question.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jean-Pierre Peros, Peter Cousins, Amandine Launay, Philippe Cubry, Andy Walker, Emilce Prado, Elisa Peressotti, Sabine Wiedemann-Merdinoglu, Valerie Laucou, Didier Merdinoglu, Patrice This, Jean-Michel Boursiquot, Agnes Doligez
Summary: Geographical distribution and diversity of current plant species have been strongly shaped by climatic oscillations during the Quaternary. Genetic structure analysis of three Vitis species in eastern North America revealed different levels of diversity and differentiation, with distinct recolonization patterns suggested. Additionally, variations in downy mildew resistance were observed, reflecting the vegetation history of the region.
Article
Zoology
Martha Angelica Gutierrez-Aguirre, Adrian Cervantes-Martinez
Summary: Two species of the freshwater copepod genus Microcyclops, M. finitimus and M. minor, were redescribed based on type specimens. The redescription included the microstructure of various body parts. Cluster and PCA analyses were used to improve the resolution between American Microcyclops species. Morphological characters such as the distal region of antennal basis, maxillary ornamentation, and thoracic appendages were found to be important for differentiating species.
Article
Ecology
Xue Yin, Hong Qian, Xinghua Sui, Minhua Zhang, Lingfeng Mao, Jens-Christian Svenning, Robert E. Ricklefs, Fangliang He, Allen Hurlbert
Summary: Variability in local topography contributes to the diversity anomaly in plant species richness between Eastern Asia and Eastern North America, with climate dominating in ENA and topography having a stronger influence in the warm area of EAS. The regional differences in topography or other environmental factors may underlie the diversity anomaly.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mike Kestemont, Folgert Karsdorp, Elisabeth de Bruijn, Matthew Driscoll, Katarzyna A. Kapitan, Padraig O. Machain, Daniel Sawyer, Remco Sleiderink, Anne Chao
Summary: The study of ancient cultures is hindered by incomplete material artifact survival, leading to underestimation of cultural diversity in historic societies. Without correcting this bias, the loss of narratives from medieval Europe may be underestimated. Similarly, the original evenness of cultural populations plays a crucial role in the stability of these assemblages in the face of immaterial loss.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan J. Morrone, Tania Escalante, Gerardo Rodriguez-Tapia, Aylin Carmona, Marcelo Arana, Jorge D. Mercado-Gomez
Summary: This study provides a map and shapefile of the 57 biogeographic provinces in the Neotropical region. The provinces are recognized based on their endemic species, and their delimitation on the map takes into account climatic, geological, and biotic criteria. The provinces belong to different subregions and transition zones in the region.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Margarita M. Lopez-Garcia, Juan J. Morrone
Summary: The analysis reveals that the Typical Neotropical taxa have dispersed from South America to the Mexican Transition Zone from the Pliocene to the present. Additionally, evidence of vicariant events related to the lifting of the Northern Andes and climatic changes during the Pleistocene were also found.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
History & Philosophy Of Science
Juan J. Morrone
Summary: "Climate and Evolution" by Matthew, published in 1915, made significant contributions to evolutionary biogeography and influenced several authors in the field. While some of the theories proposed in the book have been criticized and rejected by certain scholars, Matthew is still regarded as a key representative of classic dispersalism.
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Juan J. Morrone, Roxana Acosta, Jesus A. Fernandez
Summary: This study compared biogeographic regionalizations of the Chihuahuan Desert province and found similarities and differences between them. The study also identified endemic plant and animal taxa that diagnose these biotic units.
REVISTA MEXICANA DE BIODIVERSIDAD
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Luis Gabriel Aguilar-Estrada, Juan J. Morrone
Summary: In this study, the distributional patterns of mollusc subclass Vetigastropoda were analyzed using the panbiogeographical method. By analyzing distributional data of 434 species and 72 genera from 12 malacological collections, 26 generalized tracks and five panbiogeographical nodes were identified. The results provide new insights into the distributional patterns of vetigastropod species.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Anaitzi Rivero-Villar, Marines de la Pena-Domene, Gerardo Rodriguez-Tapia, Christian P. Giardina, Julio Campo
Summary: There is significant variation in soils of the tropical dry forest biome across different biogeographic domains, with strong influences from climate and geology. Soil properties and fertility differ greatly among regions, with organic carbon and nitrogen content correlated with temperature and precipitation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Augusto Frota, Juan J. Morrone, Weferson J. da Graca
Summary: Distributional, phylogenetic, molecular, and paleontological data were used to reveal biogeographic patterns. Cladistic biogeography inferred area fragmentation based on phylogenetic relationships and geographical distribution of freshwater fish from South America. Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA) was performed on Cnesterodontini to analyze historical relationships among nine areas. The results showed strong linkages between area relationships, historical evolution of hydrographic basins, and formation of hydrological barriers.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maribel Arenas-Navarro, Tania Escalante, Cesar Miguel-Talonia, Ana Silva-Galicia, Oswaldo Tellez-Valdes
Summary: This study aims to identify areas of endemism for Mexican legumes and examine their conservation status. The results reveal six areas with high endemism, which are associated with environmental heterogeneity. Furthermore, it is found that legume species in Mexico lack legal protection, with some species at risk. Therefore, future conservation efforts should focus on establishing protected areas to preserve these endemic plants.
AUSTRALIAN SYSTEMATIC BOTANY
(2023)
Review
History & Philosophy Of Science
Alfredo Bueno-Hernandez, Ana Barahona, Juan J. Morrone, David Espinosa, Fabiola Juarez-Barrera
Summary: We conducted a critical review of historiographical studies on biogeography, analyzing the contributions of various scholars, such as Augustin and Alphonse de Candolle, Martin Fichman, Gareth Nelson, Ernst Mayr, Alan Richardson, Michael Paul Kinch, Janet Browne, Peter Bowler, James Larson, and Malte Ebach. Comparisons were made between these works, highlighting the absence of a dominant paradigm in constructing historical narratives of biogeography. Nevertheless, they provide valuable context for ongoing debates in the field.
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Juan J. Morrone
Summary: Biogeographical transition zones are areas where different biotas overlap, replace, or partially segregate. These zones occur in specific regions of the world due to historical processes, allowing different biotic elements to coexist and interact. However, there is still a lack of a coherent conceptual framework for analyzing transition zones.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Patricia G. Garcia-Navarrete, Tania Escalante, David Espinosa, Juan J. Morrone
Summary: This article analyzes the biotic assembly of the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico, using an evolutionary biogeographic framework. The study identifies the archipelago as an area where Nearctic and Neotropical biotic components overlap and suggests classifying it as a province or a district of the Pacific Lowlands province. The analysis also identifies two cenocrons that originated from the Baja California Peninsula and Pacific coast, respectively, and arrived at the archipelago during the Pliocene-Pleistocene.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Margarita M. Lopez-Garcia, Juan J. Morrone
Summary: The Mexican Transition Zone (MTZ) has become a vital concept in promoting an integrative field of research. Through bibliometric tools, we reviewed scientific publications to analyze trends, conceptual structures, and historiographic citation related to MTZ. We observed an increase in the number of publications since 2012, with MTZ frequently cited in research papers and serving as a research topic. Divergences in the conceptualization of MTZ were identified and discussed, impacting biogeographic studies.
REVISTA MEXICANA DE BIODIVERSIDAD
(2023)
