Alternative pathways to diversity across ecologically distinct lizard radiations

Skeels, Alexander; Esquerré, Damien; Cardillo, Marcel

doi:10.1111/geb.13044

Cited by 32 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 104 publications

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“…These results are broadly consistent with previous studies from multiple continents documenting greater lizard diversity in more spatially heterogeneous habitats, especially in arid, topographically complex regions (e.g. Lewin et al., 2016; Nogueira et al., 2009; Pianka, 1967, 1973; Powney et al., 2010; Skeels et al., 2020). In western North America and the Neotropics, Cordilleran uplift may have played a role in promoting greater lizard diversity and habitat specialization over time, similar to Andean uplift in South America (Esquerré et al., 2019).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Nevertheless, as demonstrated by our analyses and others (e.g. Skeels et al., 2020), different environmental variables are more important for different squamate clades, implying clade‐based habitat specializations; these could hamper the dispersal abilities of some clades more than others. Additionally, highly specialized species with exceptionally small, restricted ranges may not be able to disperse far, and are thus at a higher risk of extinction than wider‐ranging species (Böhm et al., 2016; Meiri et al., 2018).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

“…Many of these variables have been used in previous studies on squamate biogeography and macroecology (e.g. Lewin et al., 2016; Qian et al., 2007; Skeels et al., 2020). Mean annual temperature represents ambient energy (e.g.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Latitudinal and environmental patterns of species richness in lizards and snakes across continental North America

Whiting

Fox

2020

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim 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. Here, we deconstruct the latitudinal diversity gradient of squamates and investigate lizard and snake species richness in relation to environmental gradients and biomes across continental North America. Location North America, excluding islands. Taxon Squamata (lizards and snakes). Methods We collated a suite of environmental variables (n = 10) and squamate species ranges (n = 1,152) in an equal‐area grid system (100 × 100 km cells) spanning continental North America. We deconstructed the latitudinal diversity gradient of squamates and examined species richness patterns for all lizards, all snakes and several individual squamate clades. We used multiple linear regressions to determine which environmental factors are most important for each squamate clade. Finally, we documented species richness within biomes and tested for correlations between species richness and biome variety. Results Squamates exhibit a strong latitudinal diversity gradient across continental North America. Snakes are more widespread and have a stronger gradient than lizards. Our multiple linear regression results indicate strong associations between species richness and environmental variables for all individual squamate clades analysed; temperature variables are strongly positively correlated with species richness. Biome variety is more strongly correlated with lizard species richness than snake species richness. Squamates are most species‐rich in tropical/subtropical forests, deserts and mangroves. Main conclusions Most snake clades in North America exhibit strong latitudinal diversity gradients, but only two lizard clades, Dactyloidae (anoles) and Gekkota (geckos), display strong gradients and thus drive the overall lizard pattern. Squamate clades differ in their responses to environmental gradients, as reflected by their species richness patterns, with warmer climates generally harboring more species. Lizards are more strongly associated with habitat heterogeneity than snakes are, consistent with results from previous studies. Squamates in more rapidly shifting biomes (e.g. deserts, mangroves) may face a greater risk of extinction from impending climate change.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

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Latitudinal and environmental patterns of species richness in lizards and snakes across continental North America

Whiting

Fox

2020

Journal of Biogeography

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“…Climate and topography are introduced as the most important contemporary determinants of reptile richness at global and regional scales 22 – 25 . In fact, reptile richness is highest in areas which characterized with high temperature and high topographic heterogeneity 22 – 25 . But the variables associated with the richness of reptile at regional scale in subtropical and desert areas were less investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reptile species richness associated to ecological and historical variables in Iran

Kafash

Ashrafi

Yousefi

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Spatial gradients of species richness can be shaped by the interplay between historical and ecological factors. They might interact in particularly complex ways in heterogeneous mountainous landscapes with strong climatic and geological contrasts. We mapped the distribution of 171 lizard species to investigate species richness patterns for all species (171), diurnal species (101), and nocturnal species (70) separately. We related species richness with the historical (past climate change, mountain uplifting) and ecological variables (climate, topography and vegetation). We found that assemblages in the Western Zagros Mountains, north eastern and north western parts of Central Iranian Plateau have the highest number of lizard species. Among the investigated variables, annual mean temperature explained the largest variance for all species (10%) and nocturnal species (31%). For diurnal species, temperature change velocity shows strongest explained variance in observed richness pattern (26%). Together, our results reveal that areas with annual temperature of 15–20 °C, which receive 400–600 mm precipitation and experienced moderate level of climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) have highest number of species. Documented patterns of our study provide a baseline for understanding the potential effect of ongoing climate change on lizard diversity in Iran.

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“…We used piecewise structural equation modeling (pSEM) with a generalized least squares model (GLS) for testing our conceptual models. Because it allow us to account for hierarchy of effects and to investigate the relationship between multiple response and predictor variable [ 26 ]. Five pSEMs for testing the conceptual models ( Fig 1(a), 1(b), 1(c), 1(d), and 1(e) ) were constructed based on recent deterministic and anthropogenic hypotheses.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Testing the causal mechanism of the peninsular effect in passerine birds from South Korea

Kim¹,

Shin

Seo

et al. 2021

PLoS ONE

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The peninsular effect is a geographical phenomenon that explains patterns of species richness. Given that spatial variation in species richness along a peninsular may be driven by multiple processes, we aimed to identify the sources of latitudinal patterns in passerine species richness and test hypotheses regarding (1) recent deterministic processes (climate, primary productivity, forest area, and habitat diversity), (2) anthropogenic processes (habitat fragmentation), and (3) stochastic processes (migration influence) in the Korean peninsula. We used the distribution data of 147 passerine species from 2006 to 2012. Single regression between passerine species richness and latitude supported the existence of the peninsular effect. Mean temperature increased with decreasing latitude, as did habitat diversity but leaf area index and forest area decline. However, mean temperature and forest area only influenced passerine species richness. Although habitat diversity influenced passerine species richness, it was counter to the expectations associated with peninsular effect. The number of habitat patches decreased as latitude increased but it had no effect on passerine species richness. Ratio of migrant species richness showed no significant relationship with leaf area index, forest area, and habitat diversity. However, the ratio of migrant species richness increased with decreasing mean temperature and that contributed to the increase in passerine species. Overall, our finding indicate that the observed species richness pattern in peninsulas with the tip pointing south (in the northern hemisphere) counter to the global latitudinal gradient. These results were caused by the peninsular effect associated with complex mechanism that interact with climate, habitat area, and migrant species inflow.

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Alternative pathways to diversity across ecologically distinct lizard radiations

Cited by 32 publications

References 104 publications

Latitudinal and environmental patterns of species richness in lizards and snakes across continental North America

Latitudinal and environmental patterns of species richness in lizards and snakes across continental North America

Reptile species richness associated to ecological and historical variables in Iran

Testing the causal mechanism of the peninsular effect in passerine birds from South Korea

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