Abstract:The tropics of the New World are a biodiversity hotspot, the genus Anthurium being an example of a megadiverse taxon with currently > 1000 described species. In this study, we provide detailed information on species distributions and analyse patterns of diversity and endemism, with a particular focus on the comparison of epiphytic and terrestrial congenerics. Using a dataset of occurrence records for 1041 Anthurium spp. (c. 98% of the genus), we modelled geographical species distributions using climate-… Show more
“…However, epiphytes have long been reported to have larger geographic ranges than terrestrial species (Schimper, 1888) based largely on studies conducted before the availability of modern large‐scale databases of plant occurrence records (e.g. Ibisch et al, 1996; Kessler, 2002; Schimper, 1888), although a recent study focused on the Araceae genus Anthurium also supports the claim (Reimuth & Zotz, 2020). This apparent contradiction is intriguing, although rarely highlighted in the literature (but see Kreft et al, 2004), and merits further investigation based on updated sources of evidence.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…orchids, Tillandsioideae bromeliads) and fleshy fruits dispersed by birds and bats (e.g. aroids, Bromelioideae bromeliads, Peperomia ) to greater distances compared to ground level (Einzmann & Zotz, 2017; Fischer & Araujo, 1995; Kessous et al, 2022; Reimuth & Zotz, 2020; Thomson et al, 2011). Second, the stressful and extreme environmental conditions of the epiphytic habitat would require greater eco‐physiological plasticity (Ibisch et al, 1996).…”
AimAngiosperm epiphytes have long been reported to have larger geographic ranges than terrestrial species, despite evidence of their outstanding diversity and endemism. This apparent contradiction calls for further investigation of epiphytes' poorly understood range size patterns. Here, we address the question of whether epiphytes have larger geographic ranges and different vulnerability to extinction than terrestrial species.LocationThe Atlantic Forest of Brazil, a global centre of tropical epiphyte diversity with relatively well‐known flora, where we can estimate the geographic ranges of a large number of species with reasonable confidence.Time periodOccurrence records from the 17th century to the year 2021.Major taxa studiedFlowering plants (angiosperms).MethodsWe downloaded, processed and cleaned all occurrence records for the angiosperm species native to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil available in the speciesLink network and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. We estimated the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of 12,679 native flowering plants, including 1251 epiphytic species. We compared the geographic ranges of epiphytes and other life forms at broad (e.g. Angiosperms, Monocots) and more restricted taxonomic scales (e.g. individual families), assuming species are independent entities and also when accounting for species phylogenetic dependence.ResultsWe found that epiphytes have among the smallest geographic ranges of flowering plants. We found no consistent evidence that epiphytism leads to differences in geographic ranges between close relatives. However, both epiphytes and non‐epiphytes in epiphyte‐rich lineages have small ranges and likely a high vulnerability to extinction.Main ConclusionsOur findings contrast with the long‐held hypothesis that epiphytes have larger geographic ranges than terrestrial species. Epiphytes and their close relatives share many diversification mechanisms and ecological adaptations (‘epiphyte‐like traits’), which probably explain why both sets of species have small range sizes and high vulnerability to extinction.
“…However, epiphytes have long been reported to have larger geographic ranges than terrestrial species (Schimper, 1888) based largely on studies conducted before the availability of modern large‐scale databases of plant occurrence records (e.g. Ibisch et al, 1996; Kessler, 2002; Schimper, 1888), although a recent study focused on the Araceae genus Anthurium also supports the claim (Reimuth & Zotz, 2020). This apparent contradiction is intriguing, although rarely highlighted in the literature (but see Kreft et al, 2004), and merits further investigation based on updated sources of evidence.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…orchids, Tillandsioideae bromeliads) and fleshy fruits dispersed by birds and bats (e.g. aroids, Bromelioideae bromeliads, Peperomia ) to greater distances compared to ground level (Einzmann & Zotz, 2017; Fischer & Araujo, 1995; Kessous et al, 2022; Reimuth & Zotz, 2020; Thomson et al, 2011). Second, the stressful and extreme environmental conditions of the epiphytic habitat would require greater eco‐physiological plasticity (Ibisch et al, 1996).…”
AimAngiosperm epiphytes have long been reported to have larger geographic ranges than terrestrial species, despite evidence of their outstanding diversity and endemism. This apparent contradiction calls for further investigation of epiphytes' poorly understood range size patterns. Here, we address the question of whether epiphytes have larger geographic ranges and different vulnerability to extinction than terrestrial species.LocationThe Atlantic Forest of Brazil, a global centre of tropical epiphyte diversity with relatively well‐known flora, where we can estimate the geographic ranges of a large number of species with reasonable confidence.Time periodOccurrence records from the 17th century to the year 2021.Major taxa studiedFlowering plants (angiosperms).MethodsWe downloaded, processed and cleaned all occurrence records for the angiosperm species native to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil available in the speciesLink network and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. We estimated the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of 12,679 native flowering plants, including 1251 epiphytic species. We compared the geographic ranges of epiphytes and other life forms at broad (e.g. Angiosperms, Monocots) and more restricted taxonomic scales (e.g. individual families), assuming species are independent entities and also when accounting for species phylogenetic dependence.ResultsWe found that epiphytes have among the smallest geographic ranges of flowering plants. We found no consistent evidence that epiphytism leads to differences in geographic ranges between close relatives. However, both epiphytes and non‐epiphytes in epiphyte‐rich lineages have small ranges and likely a high vulnerability to extinction.Main ConclusionsOur findings contrast with the long‐held hypothesis that epiphytes have larger geographic ranges than terrestrial species. Epiphytes and their close relatives share many diversification mechanisms and ecological adaptations (‘epiphyte‐like traits’), which probably explain why both sets of species have small range sizes and high vulnerability to extinction.
“…In the orchid genus Galeandra, epiphytic species tended towards smaller range size than terrestrial counterparts 16 . In contrast, epiphytic Anthurium species had mean range size eight times larger than terrestrial species in the genus 17 . Analyses of angiosperms in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest showed epiphytes having among the highest percentages of small-ranged species among lifeforms 1,18 .…”
Section: Mainmentioning
confidence: 78%
“…Although seed weight in epiphytes follows a bimodal distribution (consistent with the hypothesis that light wind-dispersed and heavier, fleshy bird-dispersed seeds are both effective for tree-to-tree dispersal), epiphytes do not generally have smaller seeds than confamilial terrestrial plants, evidence that closely related epiphytic and terrestrial taxa exhibit similar traits 47 . However, dispersal of anemochorous seeds is likely more successful from greater heights in the canopy than from the ground, thereby predisposing epiphytic taxa to larger ranges than morphologically-similar, closely related terrestrial taxa 17 . Bird-dispersed epiphyte seeds may also reach greater distances if canopy-inhabiting birds and bats forage over greater distances than forest-floor birds 14,44 .…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Adaptations for tree-to-tree dispersal predispose epiphytes to high dispersal capabilities 15 , contributing to large range sizes 19 . Tree height favours dispersal of wind-, bird- or bat-dispersed seeds of canopy-dwelling epiphytes 17,20 . Conversely, plant clades which have undergone rapid diversification tend to have small-ranged species, especially when speciation mechanisms isolate small populations 21,22 .…”
Epiphytes have long been considered to have larger geographic range sizes than terrestrial plants, yet evidence for this claim comes from studies at restricted geographic and taxonomic scales and is contrary to that of some recent studies. We examined if epiphytes have larger or smaller range sizes than terrestrial plants and tested if epiphytism is a likely driver of differences in range size globally across angiosperms. We integrated global datasets on angiosperm taxonomy, distribution, and lifeform to calculate three range size metrics. We tested if there were significant differences in mean range size between epiphytes and terrestrial plants across angiosperms and within epiphyte-rich families using ordinary and phylogenetic regression models. On average, epiphytes have larger range sizes than closely related terrestrial species, supporting the hypothesis that epiphytism favours dispersal into larger areas. However, species in families where epiphytism is prevalent tend to have small range sizes regardless of their lifeform. A high proportion of epiphytes and their close relatives are rare or have vulnerably small range sizes, yet epiphytism per se does not cause rarity. Evolutionary histories and shared traits of epiphyte-rich lineages likely underlie the observed rarity and small ranges.
The Neotropical realm hosts some of the Earth's most species-rich biodiversity hotspots, with vascular epiphytes signi cantly contributing to this diversity. However, many regions of the Neotropics where epiphytic species of restricted distribution are reported coincide with threatened ecosystems, such as the tropical montane cloud forest. Moreover, epiphytes may be especially vulnerable to land use and climate change impacts due to their dependence on host trees. We assessed the conservation status of vascular epiphytes in the Neotropics for the families that represent over 80% of the global epiphyte diversity (Araceae, Bromeliaceae, Orchidaceae, Piperaceae, and Polypodiaceae) and identi ed geographical centers of accumulation of threatened epiphyte species. We gathered information from free-access web repositories, speci c epiphytic plant databases, and scienti c and grey literature. We assessed the extinction risk of 11,446 epiphyte species following IUCN Red List guidelines, using Criterion B (geographic range size). We found nearly 60% (6,721 species) to be threatened, with 1,766 critically endangered (CR), 3,537 endangered (EN), and 1,418 vulnerable (VU). The threatened species are mainly found in the centers of endemism of vascular epiphytes in Central America, the northern Andes, and the Atlantic Forest. Our study emphasises that the centers of threatened species largely coincide with diversity hotspots, highlighting epiphytes as an especially vulnerable group that requires urgent conservation actions.
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