Environmental predictors of global parrot (Aves: Psittaciformes) species richness and phylogenetic diversity

Phylogenetic diversity (PD) captures the shared ancestry of species, and is increasingly being recognized as a valuable conservation currency. Regionally, PD frequently covaries closely with species richness; however, variation in speciation and extinction rates and/or the biogeographic history of lineages can result in significant deviation. Locally, these differences may be pronounced. Rapid recent speciation or high temporal turnover of lineages can result in low PD but high richness. In contrast, rare dispersal events, for example, between biomes, can elevate PD but have only small impact on richness. To date, environmental predictors of species richness have been well studied but global models explaining variation in PD are lacking. Here, we contrast the global distribution of PD versus species richness for terrestrial mammals. We show that an environmental model of lineage diversification can predict well the discrepancy in the distribution of these two variables in some places, for example, South America and Africa but not others, such as Southeast Asia. When we have information on multiple diversity indices, conservation efforts directed towards maximizing one currency or another (e.g. species richness versus PD) should also consider the underlying processes that have shaped their distributions.

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Flower‐visitor communities of an arcto‐alpine plant—Global patterns in species richness, phylogenetic diversity and ecological functioning

Molecular Ecology ◽

10.1111/mec.14932 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 318-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mikko Tiusanen ◽

Tea Huotari ◽

Paul D. N. Hebert ◽

Tommi Andersson ◽

Ashley Asmus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Alpine Plant ◽

Flower Visitor ◽

Global Patterns ◽

Ecological Functioning

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Metabolic asymmetry and the global diversity of marine predators

Science ◽

10.1126/science.aat4220 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 363 (6425) ◽

pp. eaat4220 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

John M. Grady ◽

Brian S. Maitner ◽

Ara S. Winter ◽

Kristin Kaschner ◽

Derek P. Tittensor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Spatial Patterns ◽

Marine Mammals ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Latitudinal Gradient ◽

Latitudinal Gradients ◽

Competitive Interactions ◽

Marine Predators ◽

Theoretical Predictions ◽

The Tropics

Species richness of marine mammals and birds is highest in cold, temperate seas—a conspicuous exception to the general latitudinal gradient of decreasing diversity from the tropics to the poles. We compiled a comprehensive dataset for 998 species of sharks, fish, reptiles, mammals, and birds to identify and quantify inverse latitudinal gradients in diversity, and derived a theory to explain these patterns. We found that richness, phylogenetic diversity, and abundance of marine predators diverge systematically with thermoregulatory strategy and water temperature, reflecting metabolic differences between endotherms and ectotherms that drive trophic and competitive interactions. Spatial patterns of foraging support theoretical predictions, with total prey consumption by mammals increasing by a factor of 80 from the equator to the poles after controlling for productivity.

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Elasmobranch diversity, conservation and management along Wadge Bank, South India

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-3778 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

K. Karuppasamy ◽

P. Jawahar ◽

S. David Kingston ◽

V. K. Venkataramani ◽

V. Vidhya

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

South India ◽

Fish Communities ◽

Taxonomic Diversity ◽

Management Measures ◽

Conservation And Management ◽

D Value

The study was undertaken to document the elasmobranch diversity and their abundance along Wadge Bank. Species were collected fortnightly during June 2015 to May 2016 from three landing centres viz., Chinnamuttom,Colachel and Vizhinjam of Wadge Bank. A total of 1,575 specimens were collected during the period and 44 species were identified belonging to 8 orders, 13 families and 25 genera. Among the recorded \families,Carcharhinidae is the most dominant family with 12 species. The Colachel landing centre was rich in diversity with 43 species followed by Chinnamuttom 39 species and Vizhinjam26 species. The highest Shannon Weiner diversity (H’ value) was observed at Colachel (4.17) followed by Chinnamuttom (4.11) and Vizhinjam (3.76). The Margalef’s species richness (‘d’) value was assessed at Colachel (4.55) followed by Chinnamuttom (4.01) and Vizhinjam (2.91). The Pielou’s evenness (J’) estimated was 0.7786, 0.7700 and 0.8005respectively, for Chinnamuttom, Colachal and Vizhinjam. The highest taxonomic diversity value was observed at Colachel (60.33) and the lowest during at Vizhinjam (54.08). Among the three landing centres studied, the total phylogenetic diversity (sPhi+) was found to be the lowest at Vizhinjam (940) and highest at Colachel landing centre (1720). Bray Curtis similarities measure was also calculated, fish communities were separated into several clusters based on seasons. The conservation of elasmobranchs and the management measures to be followed along the Wadge Bank is also discussed.

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Evolutionary history determines how plant productivity responds to phylogenetic diversity and species richness

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.288 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. e288 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mark A. Genung ◽

Jennifer A. Schweitzer ◽

Joseph K. Bailey

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Evolutionary History ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Plant Productivity

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Species richness, phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic structure patterns of exotic and native plants along an elevational gradient in the Himalaya

Ecological Processes ◽

10.1186/s13717-021-00335-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kumar Manish

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Exotic Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Elevational Gradient ◽

Species Assemblages ◽

Native Plant ◽

Phylogenetic Structure ◽

Phylogenetic Overdispersion ◽

The Himalaya

Abstract Background So far, macroecological studies in the Himalaya have mostly concentrated on spatial variation of overall species richness along the elevational gradient. Very few studies have attempted to document the difference in elevational richness patterns of native and exotic species. In this study, this knowledge gap is addressed by integrating data on phylogeny and elevational distribution of species to identify the variation in species richness, phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic structure of exotic and native plant species along an elevational gradient in the Himalaya. Results Species distribution patterns for exotic and native species differed; exotics tended to show maximum species richness at low elevations while natives tended to predominate at mid-elevations. Native species assemblages showed higher phylogenetic diversity than the exotic species assemblages over the entire elevational gradient in the Himalaya. In terms of phylogenetic structure, exotic species assemblages showed majorly phylogenetic clustering while native species assemblages were characterized by phylogenetic overdispersion over the entire gradient. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate that areas with high native species richness and phylogenetic diversity are less receptive to exotic species and vice versa in the Himalaya. Species assemblages with high native phylogenetic overdispersion are less receptive to exotic species than the phylogenetically clustered assemblages. Different ecological processes (ecological filtering in case of exotics and resource and niche competition in case of natives) may govern the distribution of exotic and native species along the elevational gradient in the Himalaya.

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Biodiversity-productivity relationship in urban vascular flora: a comparison between wild edible and non-edible plants

Botanical Sciences ◽

10.17129/botsci.2892 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sebastián Cordero ◽

Francisca Galvez ◽

Gastón O. Carvallo

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Evolutionary Relationship ◽

Biomass Productivity ◽

Plant Production ◽

Wild Edible Plants ◽

Edible Plants ◽

Edible Plant ◽

Urban Floras

Background: Wild edible plants are species that are not cultivated but can be consumed as food. These plants may exhibit the highest taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity within urban floras, since they have a longer history of use associated with humans than non-edible plants. Also, because biodiversity is strongly associated with biomass, edible plants plant might show higher productivity (biomass per site) than non-edible plants. Questions: Is taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of wild edible plants higher than non-edibles within urban areas? Is the alpha-biodiversity of wild edible plants positively related to biomass productivity in urban areas? Study sites and years of study: Cities of the coastal Mediterranean-type ecosystem, central Chile, 2015 and 2016. Methods: We characterized the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of urban flora differentiating wild edible and non-edible plants. Then, we assessed whether alpha-diversity of assemblages is related to their biomass productivity. Results: Both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity were higher for edibles than non-edible plants. For edible plants, biomass was positively related to species richness and negatively with the mean phylogenetic diversity (MPD, a measure of evolutionary relationship among plants within an assemblage). Conclusions: Species richness is a suitable proxy to estimate wild edible plant diversity and their biomass in cities surpassing other proxies, such as phylogenetic diversity. Negative effect of MPD on biomass suggests that only a subgroup of related plants, possibly highly adapted to urban conditions, contribute to edible plant production. The distinction between wild edible and non-edible plants offers a better understanding of the assembly rules and biodiversity-biomass relationship within urban floras.

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Conserving relics from ancient underground worlds: assessing the influence of cave and landscape features on obligate iron cave dwellers from the Eastern Amazon

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.4531 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e4531 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rodolfo Jaffé ◽

Xavier Prous ◽

Allan Calux ◽

Markus Gastauer ◽

Gilberto Nicacio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Geographic Distance ◽

Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽

Habitat Amount ◽

Landscape Features ◽

Surrounding Landscape ◽

Main Factor

The degradation of subterranean habitats is believed to represent a serious threat for the conservation of obligate subterranean dwellers (troglobites), many of which are short-range endemics. However, while the factors influencing cave biodiversity remain largely unknown, the influence of the surrounding landscape and patterns of subterranean connectivity of terrestrial troglobitic communities have never been systematically assessed. Using spatial statistics to analyze the most comprehensive speleological database yet available for tropical caves, we first assess the influence of iron cave characteristics and the surrounding landscape on troglobitic communities from the Eastern Amazon. We then determine the spatial pattern of troglobitic community composition, species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and the occurrence of frequent troglobitic species, and finally quantify how different landscape features influence the connectivity between caves. Our results reveal the key importance of habitat amount, guano, water, lithology, geomorphology, and elevation in shaping iron cave troglobitic communities. While mining within 250 m from the caves influenced species composition, increasing agricultural land cover within 50 m from the caves reduced species richness and phylogenetic diversity. Troglobitic species composition, species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and the occurrence of frequent troglobites showed spatial autocorrelation for up to 40 km. Finally, our results suggest that the conservation of cave clusters should be prioritized, as geographic distance was the main factor determining connectivity between troglobitic communities. Overall, our work sheds important light onto one of the most overlooked terrestrial ecosystems, and highlights the need to shift conservation efforts from individual caves to subterranean habitats as a whole.

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Phylogenetic support for the Tropical Niche Conservatism Hypothesis despite the absence of a clear latitudinal species richness gradient in Yunnan's woody flora

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-11-7055-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 7055-7077 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

G. Tang ◽

M. G. Zhang ◽

C. Liu ◽

Z. Zhou ◽

W. Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Phylogenetic Diversity ◽

Latitudinal Gradient ◽

Extreme Temperature ◽

Woody Species ◽

Niche Conservatism ◽

The North ◽

Related Plant ◽

Species Richness Gradient ◽

The Tropics

Abstract. The Tropical Niche Conservatism Hypothesis (TCH) tries to explain the generally observed latitudinal gradient of increasing species diversity towards the tropics. To date, few studies have used phylogenetic approaches to assess its validity, even though such methods are especially suited to detect changes in niche structure. We test the TCH using modeled distributions of 1898 woody species in Yunnan Province (southwest China) in combination with a family level phylogeny. Unlike predicted, species richness and phylogenetic diversity did not show a latitudinal gradient, but identified two high diversity zones, one in Northwest and one in South Yunnan. Despite this, the underlying residual phylogenetic diversity showed a clear decline away from the tropics, while the species composition became progressingly more phylogenetically clustered towards the North. These latitudinal changes were strongly associated with more extreme temperature variability and declining precipitation and soil water availability, especially during the dry season. Our results suggests that the climatically more extreme conditions outside the tropics require adaptations for successful colonization, most likely related to the plant hydraulic system, that have been acquired by only a limited number of phylogenetically closely related plant lineages. We emphasize the importance of phylogenetic approaches for testing the TCH.

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The determinants of alpine butterfly richness and composition vary according to the ecological traits of species

10.1101/002147 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Vincent Sonnay ◽

Loïc Pellissier ◽

Jean-Nicolas Pradervand ◽

Luigi Maiorano ◽

Anne Dubuis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Essential Element ◽

Diet Breadth ◽

Habitat Diversity ◽

Dispersal Ability ◽

Global Changes ◽

Butterfly Species ◽

Environmental Predictors ◽

Plant Richness ◽

Main Determinants

Predicting spatial patterns of species diversity and composition using suitable environmental predictors is an essential element in conservation planning. Although species have distinct relationships to environmental conditions, some similarities may exist among species that share functional characteristics or traits. We investigated the relationship between species richness, composition and abiotic and biotic environment in different groups of butterflies that share ecological characteristics. We inventoried butterfly species richness in 192 sites and classified all inventoried species in three traits categories: the caterpillars diet breadth, the habitat requirements and the dispersal ability of the adults. We studied how environment, including influence butterfly species richness and composition within each trait category. Across four modelling approaches, the relative influence of environmental variables on butterfly species richness differed for specialists and generalists. Climatic variables were the main determinants of butterfly species richness and composition for generalists, whereas habitat diversity, and plant richness were also important for specialists. Prediction accuracy was lower for specialists than for generalists. Although climate variables represent the strongest drivers affecting butterfly species richness and composition for generalists, plant richness and habitat diversity are at least as important for specialist butterfly species. As specialist butterflies are among those species particularly threatened by global changes, devising accurate predictors to model specialist species richness is extremely important. However, our results indicate that this task will be challenging because more complex predictors are required.

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