Diversity, species richness distribution and centers of endemism of Lycianthes (Capsiceae, Solanaceae) in Mexico

Spatial patterns of plant diversity matter. Identifying areas of high species richness and endemism are crucial for understanding the evolution of plant diversity and community assemblages as well establishing sustainablility and conservation priorities. Lycianthes is the third most species-rich genus in the Solanaceae with 187 taxa (152 species, 10 subspecies and 25 varieties) native to the Americas and Asia-Pacific region. However, the distributions of the taxa are uneven and usually concentrated along mountain ranges in the Neotropic. In Mexico, the main mountain chains are known as the Mexican Transition Zone (MTZ), so we expected the highest species richness and endemism to be found there. Our aims were twofold; first, to determine the Lycianthes species richness in Mexico; and second, to analyze the spatial patterns. We used 2305 georeferenced records obtained from specimens examined in herbaria, electronic specimen databases and specimens cited in the literature. Then, we analyzed species richness and endemism using a grid-cell of 50 × 50 km, political divisions, biogeographic provinces, vegetation types, and elevation. In addition, endemism was quantified using weighted endemism (WE) and corrected weighted endemism (CWE). In Mexico, there were 48 taxa of Lycianthes, which included 44 species and four varieties. Of these, 20 species and two varieties were endemic. We found 14 cells of high species richness and eight centers of endemism, all located across the MTZ. The pine-oak forest resulted in the richest plant community followed by the cloud forest along an elevational gradient of 1000–2000 m. Likewise, endemism was found within the pine-oak forest of the MTZ, between 1000–2000 m of elevation. The geological history and climatic conditions of the MTZ could explain the diversity of Lycianthes there.

Endemism Patterns of Planthoppers (Fulgoroidea) in China

Studies on endemism are always of high interest in biogeography and contribute to better understanding of the evolution of species and making conservation plans. The present study aimed to investigate the endemism patterns of planthoppers in China by delimiting centers of endemism and areas of endemism. We collected 6,907 spatial distribution records for 860 endemic planthopper species from various resources. Centers of endemism were identified using weighted endemism values at 1° grid size. Parsimony analysis of endemicity and endemicity analysis were employed to detect areas of endemism at 1°, 1.5°, and 2° grid sizes. Six centers of endemism located in mountainous areas were identified: Taiwan Island, Hainan Island, eastern Yungui Plateau, Wuyi Mountains, western Qinling Mountains, and western Yunnan. We also delimited six areas of endemism, which were generally consistent with centers of endemism. Our findings demonstrated that mountainous areas have an essential role in facilitating the high level of endemism and formation of areas of endemism in planthoppers through the combined effects of complex topography, a long-term stable environment, and geological events. Dispersal ability and distribution of host plants also have important effects on the patterns of planthoppers’ endemism.

Two New Rare, Endangered Species of Stenandrium (Acanthaceae: Acantheae) Reinforce Proposed Centers of Endemism and Key Biodiversity Areas in the Serra do Espinhaço, Brazil

Abstract—We describe and illustrate Stenandrium diamantinense and Stenandrium eustachyum, two new species from campos rupestres in a region of high endemism in southeastern Brazil. Stenandrium diamantinense is differentiated from other congeners by its unique indurate, small leaves with revolute margins. Stenandrium eustachyum is most similar to Stenandrium villosum, the only congener with which it shares the combination of oval bracts and caulescent habit; it can be distinguished from the latter species by its ovate to widely ovate leaves (vs. lanceolate in S. villosum). Stenandrium eustachyum differs from other species of Stenandrium from the Serra do Espinhaço by its oval (vs. linear in all other regional species) bracts. Photographs of living plants in the field are supplemented by scanning electron micrographs of pollen, seeds, and trichomes. A distribution map and a key to the Stenandrium species of the southern Serra do Espinhaço are provided. Stenandrium diamantinense is informally and provisionally assessed as Endangered and S. eustachyum as Critically Endangered. The distribution of Stenandrium in the Serra do Espinhaço supports proposed centers of endemism and key biodiversity areas.

Spatial phylogenetics of the Chinese angiosperm flora provides insights into endemism and conservation

Background : The flora of China is well known for its high diversity and endemism. Identifying centers of endemism and designating conservation priorities are essential goals for biodiversity studies. We implemented a spatial phylogenetic analysis of the Chinese angiosperm flora at the generic level to identify centers of neo- and paleo-endemism. Phylogenetic endemism (PE) centers were compared with taxonomic endemism centers, and their implications for conservation were examined. Results: (1) The majority of grid cells in China with significant PE showed concentrations of mixed- or paleo-endemism and were mainly located in the mountainous regions. (2) Nine geographic centers of endemism were identified for 3,513 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Four of these, located in northern and western China, were recognized for the first time. (3) Arid and semiarid regions were commonly linked to significant PE, as has been found in other spatial phylogenetics studies worldwide. (4) Six high-priority conservation gaps were detected by overlaying the boundaries of China’s nature reserves on all significant PE cells. Conclusions: Mountainous regions are both “museums” and “cradles” for Chinese angiosperms, including the mountains of southern and northern China. The areas we highlight as priorities are important for broad-scale conservation planning, especially in the context of evolutionary history preservation.

Spatial phylogenetics of the Chinese angiosperm flora provides insights into endemism and conservation

Background: The flora of China is well known for its high diversity and endemism. Identifying centers of endemism and designating conservation priorities are essential goals for biodiversity studies. We implemented a spatial phylogenetics analysis of the Chinese angiosperm flora at the generic level to identify centers of neo- and paleo-endemism. Phylogenetic endemism (PE) centers were compared with taxonomic endemism centers, and their implications for conservation were examined.Results: (1) The majority of grid cells in China with significant PE were mixed- or paleo-endemism. The PE centers were mainly located in the mountainous regions. (2) Nine geographic centers of endemism were identified for 3,513 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Four of these, found in northern and western China, were recognized for the first time. (3) Arid and semiarid regions were commonly linked to centers of significant PE, as has been found in other spatial phylogenetics studies worldwide. (4) Six high-priority conservation gaps were detected by overlaying the boundaries of China’s nature reserves on these centers of endemism.Conclusions: Mountainous regions are the “museums” and “cradles” for Chinese angiosperms, including both the mountains of southern and northern China. The areas we highlight as priorities are important for broad-scale conservation planning, especially in the context of evolutionary history preservation.

Spatial phylogenetics of the Chinese angiosperm flora provides insights into endemism and conservation

Background The flora of China is well known for its high endemism. Identifying centers of endemism and designating conservation priorities for the Chinese flora are essential goals for biodiversity studies. We used a phylogeny that included 2,909 Chinese angiosperm genera and 1.39 million spatial distribution records to conduct spatial phylogenetics analyses. Then, we identified centers of neo- and paleo-endemism in the Chinese angiosperm flora using spatial phylogenetic methods. Phylogenetic endemism centers were compared with taxonomic endemism centers, and their implications for conservation were examined. Results (1) The majority of grid cells with significant phylogenetic endemism (PE) were dominated by mixed- or super-endemism in China, but only one grid cell dominated by neo-endemism was located in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. (2) Ten geographic centers of grid cells with high PE were identified. Four of these found in northern China are recognized for the first time here. (3) Arid and semiarid regions were commonly linked to PE centers in both our study and other spatial phylogenetics studies worldwide. (4) Five priority conservation gaps were detected by overlaying the boundaries of China’s nature reserves on these centers of endemism. Conclusions The spatial phylogenetics approach provides an evolutionary perspective to understanding the diversity and endemism patterns. These integrated methods are necessary for broad-scale conservation planning, especially when aiming to conserve evolutionary history.

Two new species of shrew-rats (Rhynchomys: Muridae: Rodentia) from Luzon Island, Philippines

The murine genus Rhynchomys includes the large-bodied Philippine “shrew-rats,” highly specialized members of the vermivorous clade of Philippine murids. Four species are recognized, all of which are endemic to Luzon Island: R. soricoides from mountains within the Central Cordillera, R. isarogensis from Mt. Isarog on the Bicol Peninsula, R. banahao from Mt. Banahaw in south-central Luzon, and R. tapulao from Mt. Tapulao in the Zambales Mountains. Field surveys in 2006 and 2008 revealed two additional populations of Rhynchomys, one from Mt. Labo (1,544 m), a dormant stratovolcano at the base of the Bicol Peninsula, the other from Mt. Mingan (1,901 m), the highest peak in the central Sierra Madre of east-central Luzon. Assessment of external and craniodental features of available specimens from throughout Luzon support our description of the populations on Mt. Labo and Mt. Mingan as new species. All species of Rhynchomys are restricted to high-elevation, montane, and mossy forest habitats, separated by intervening lowlands. These discoveries highlight the importance of isolated highland areas in the historical diversification of Southeast Asian murines, and as current centers of endemism.

Historical records of orchid bees (Apidae: Euglossini) in Belém Endemism Center: species list of 92 years sampling

The distribution of most species occurs in delimited regions with unique characteristics called “centers of endemism”. In Eastern Amazon is located the Belém Endemism Center (BEC), one of the most intensely deforested in Brazilian Amazon. Here, we show information about orchid bee assemblages based on historical records from entomological collections. For each species, we calculated occurrence frequency and dominance, and we classified them in 3 statuses: common, intermediate or rare species. Curves of observed and estimated richness were built, based on Jackknife estimator. We found 1,257 specimens from 56 species, constituting records from 1917 to 2009, and one species is a new record for BEC. Higher number of specimens and species was concentrated in a few locations and surveys increased from the 70’s. The results suggest a high richness of orchid bees in the BEC, although this scenario is far from what is expected for the entire area. The high occurrence of rare species may be related to their low representativeness in the collections, and the proximity between the areas had favored samplings. Even so, the species list and the conservation status presented here may be useful information in studies comparing past and current orchid bee fauna, and, allied to data on bees’ responses to land use changes occurred in BEC over the years, can fit as a basis for defining priority areas for conservation.

Diamonds and Daisies: Floristics and Conservation of Asteraceae in One of Brazil’s Major Centers of Endemism

Brazilian rupestrian grasslands (campos rupestres) are old, climatically buffered infertile landscapes, which support many endemic species. Asteraceae show the high levels of plant endemism and contain more endangered species than any other family in Brazil. Here, we evaluated the complementarity of two protected areas for the conservation of endangered Asteraceae along the Espinhaço Mountain range, Southeast Brazil. Specifically, we investigated if the known endangered Asteraceae flora of the Diamantina District Plateau (38 species) occurs in two protected areas, Rio Preto State Park and Sempre Vivas National Park, and if these areas are complimentary or overlapping in protecting endangered Asteraceae species. To survey Asteraceae, we used a standardized RAPELD protocol (21 1 ha plots) and traditional floristic collecting (117 ha polygon/32 days/average team = 2.1 collectors) across different habitats and altitudes within both areas. RAPELD protocol recorded 115 species in a sample of 12,775 individuals of Asteraceae. Traditional floristic collecting recorded 172 species in a sample of 613 collections. Seventy-nine percent of endangered species known to occur within the Plateau were recollected by either RAPELD or traditional floristic collecting. Only 13% of endangered Asteraceae flora was common to both protected areas; 47% occur in Rio Preto State Park and 34% in Sempre Vivas National Park; combined, they recorded 68% of the endangered Plateau Asteraceae flora; only one critically endangered species was recorded. The two parks are complimentary but insufficient to protect the endangered Asteraceae flora of the Plateau; the uneven distribution of endangered species in the Diamantina District Plateau is a threat to their conservation.