Biogeography of Chilean herpetofauna: distributional patterns of species richness and endemism

Abstract

We analyze the geographic distribution pattern of Chilean amphibian and reptile species between 18°20′S (Arica) to 56°S (Magellanic Area) by the identification of centers of higher richness and endemism and we infer the biological processes that could have promoted these patterns from a biogeographic point of view, comparing our results with the present location of National Parks found in the National System of State Wildlife Protected Areas. Our results provide evidence that richness and endemism shows clear latitudinal trends along Chile, with highest values at mid-latitudes (31°S to 44°S). Five areas of endemism for phenetic analysis and six for PAE (Parsimony analysis of endemism) were found that agree with bioclimatic boundaries. We suggest that the richness and endemism patterns registered for Chilean herpetological taxa may be explained by an historical mechanism, in accordance with previous biogeographical proposals. To improve the conservation efforts for amphibians and reptiles we suggest inclusion of new protected areas at the regional level for the Mediterranean region of south-central Chile and for local northern and southern quadrats with high species richness and endemism.

Genetic variation of the Chilean endemic long-haired mouseAbrothrix longipilis(Rodentia, Supramyomorpha, Cricetidae) in a geographical and environmental context

“…The Chilean Mediterranean ecoregion is a biodiversity hotspot; this area harbors a high number of endemics species and high genetic diversity (e.g., Allnutt et al, 1999 ; Ruzzante et al, 2006 ; Victoriano et al, 2008 ; Azpilicueta, Marchelli & Gallo, 2009 ; Soto, Vidal & Veloso, 2009 ; Muñoz-Mendoza et al, 2017 ). Abrothrix longipilis is the single sigmodontine species endemic to this region; the co-distributed sigmondontine species (e.g., Phyllotis darwini , A. olivacea ) present wider geographic distributions that reach other ecoregions (see distributional maps in Patton, Pardiñas & D’Elía, 2015 ).…”

Evolutionary lag times and recent origin of the biota of an ancient desert (Atacama–Sechura)

“…We illustrate this concept in the contiguous Atacama and Sechura deserts of South America (Atacama-Sechura Desert hereafter). This desert represents one of the harshest and driest environments on Earth (8-10), but nevertheless contains many endemic plant and animal species (11)(12)(13)(14). We compare the time of origin of different precipitation regimes within the region (based on geological evidence) to the time of colonization of these environments for three plant clades and one animal clade (based on time-calibrated molecular phylogenies).…”

Análisis, síntesis y evaluación de la literatura de lagartos de la Región de Atacama, Chile

“…Veloso et al (1995) mencionan diez especies de saurios para Atacama, con cuatro de ellas endémicas, siendo una región con una intensidad de exploración regular. En Vidal et al (2009) se analiza los patrones de distribución de las especies de reptiles y anfi bios de Chile con la fi nalidad de evaluar centros de diversidad, rareza y endemismo, encontrando que la mayor riqueza de especies se encuentran a partir del paralelo 31ºS al 44ºS. Este análisis está basado en datos de rangos de distribución encontrados en publicaciones y datos de campo.…”