Evolutionarily distinct amphibians are disproportionately lost from human‐modified ecosystems

Abstract

Humans continue to alter terrestrial ecosystems, but our understanding of how biodiversity responds is still limited. Anthropogenic habitat conversion has been associated with the loss of evolutionarily distinct bird species at local scales, but whether this evolutionary pattern holds across other clades is unknown. We collate a global dataset on amphibian assemblages in intact forests and nearby human-modified sites to assess whether evolutionary history influences susceptibility to land conversion. We found that evolutionarily distinct amphibian species are disproportionately lost when forested habitats are converted to alternative land-uses. We tested the hypothesis that grassland-associated amphibian lineages have both higher diversification and are pre-adapted to human landscapes, but found only weak evidence supporting this. The loss of evolutionarily distinct amphibians with land conversion suggests that preserving remnant forests will be vital if we aim to preserve the amphibian tree of life in the face of mounting anthropogenic pressures.

Phylogenetic and Trait-Based Prediction of Extinction Risk for Data-Deficient Amphibians

“…This risk is higher for Bolitoglossa and Pristimantis clades, as they are strongly susceptible to habitat loss [19]. Evolutionarily distinct amphibians, such as Microhylidae and Caeciliidae, may also be particularly at risk, as they tend to disappear when forested areas are lost [20]. Of concern, the only three species that our model predicted as extinct occur in the Neotropics (Atelopus carauta; Craugastor cuaquero) and India (Nyctibatrachus poocha).…”

Habitat Characteristics and Amphibians Conservation in Lombok Island

“…In addition to external factors, adaptability also has an important role (Greenberg et al, 2018). For example, Duttaphrynusmelanostictus is a species that can adapt to habitats that are disturbed by human activities.…”

Spatiophylogenetic modelling of extinction risk reveals evolutionary distinctiveness and brief flowering period as risk factors in a diverse hotspot plant genus

“…Our results support a link between greater evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) of Hakea species and a higher probability of being threatened, the first evidence for such a link that is independent of both phylogenetic and spatial effects on patterns of threat status. Although there is a growing list of taxa in which an association has been found between greater ED or evolutionary age and higher threat status (Gaston & Blackburn 1997;Johnson et al 2002;Meijaard et al 2008;Vamosi & Wilson 2008;Redding et al 2010;Verde Arregoitia et al 2013;Greenberg et al 2018) , the explanations for this link remain speculative. In searching for an explanation it is important to distinguish between ED, species age, and taxon age.…”