Scaling issues of neutral theory reveal violations of ecological equivalence for dominant Amazonian tree species

Ricklefs and Renner (Reports, 27 January 2012, p. 464) have argued that the neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography cannot explain the correlations in family abundances and species richness found between tropical forests from distinct continents. However, we show that such patterns can arise from neutral processes of diversification, migration, and drift over large spatial and temporal scales.

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Ecological Equivalence: A Realistic Assumption for Niche Theory as a Testable Alternative to Neutral Theory

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0007460 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (10) ◽

pp. e7460 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

C. Patrick Doncaster

Keyword(s):

Neutral Theory ◽

Niche Theory ◽

Realistic Assumption ◽

Ecological Equivalence

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Comment on “Global Correlations in Tropical Tree Species Richness and Abundance Reject Neutrality”

Science ◽

10.1126/science.1222056 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 336 (6089) ◽

pp. 1639.2-1639 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rampal S. Etienne ◽

James Rosindell

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Tree Species ◽

Neutral Theory ◽

Tropical Tree ◽

Neutral Model ◽

Tropical Tree Species ◽

Tree Species Richness ◽

Species Richness And Abundance

Ricklefs and Renner (Reports, 27 January 2012, p. 464) showed correlations of species richness and individual abundance within families across continents and claimed that neutral theory predicts no such correlation. However, they did not substantiate this claim quantitatively with a neutral model. Here, we show that neutral theory can be consistent with these correlations and, consequently, that the correlations alone cannot reject neutrality.

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Comment on “Global Correlations in Tropical Tree Species Richness and Abundance Reject Neutrality”

Science ◽

10.1126/science.1220980 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 336 (6089) ◽

pp. 1639.3-1639 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Camilo Mora

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Tree Species ◽

Neutral Theory ◽

Tropical Tree ◽

Neutral Model ◽

Strong Correlations ◽

Tropical Tree Species ◽

Tree Species Richness ◽

Species Richness And Abundance ◽

Tree Assemblages

Ricklefs and Renner (Reports, 27 January 2012, p. 464) suggested that strong correlations in the diversity of shared families between isolated tree assemblages reject neutrality. Simulations of a neutral model indicate, however, that isolated assemblages under various configurations of random speciation and extinction do sustain strong correlations in the diversity of shared families. Thus, reported correlations support rather than reject neutral theory.

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Comment on “Global Correlations in Tropical Tree Species Richness and Abundance Reject Neutrality”

Science ◽

10.1126/science.1222534 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 336 (6089) ◽

pp. 1639.4-1639 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anping Chen ◽

Shaopeng Wang ◽

Stephen W. Pacala

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Tree Species ◽

Neutral Theory ◽

Tropical Tree ◽

Tropical Tree Species ◽

Tree Species Richness ◽

Neutral Theory Of Biodiversity ◽

Species Richness And Abundance

Ricklefs and Renner (Reports, 27 January 2012, p. 464) found significant correlations for abundances and species diversities of families and orders of trees on different continents, which they suggested falsifies the neutral theory of biodiversity (NTB). We argue that the correlations among families and orders and the lack of correlations among genera can be explained by the NTB.

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