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Multiple dimensions of bat biodiversity along an extensive tropical elevational gradient
Laura M Cisneros1,2, Kevin R Burgio1, Lindsay M Dreiss3
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 75 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT, 06269-3043, USA.
The Journal of Animal Ecology
|January 17, 2014
Summary
Species richness alone is insufficient for understanding biodiversity. Phylogenetic and functional diversity patterns, particularly at high elevations, reveal complex ecological dynamics beyond simple species counts.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Biodiversity research
- Spatial dynamics
Background:
- Biodiversity research often focuses on taxonomic diversity (species richness).
- This taxonomic dimension may not accurately reflect ecological or evolutionary differences crucial for ecosystem services.
- The assumption that species richness represents other biodiversity dimensions remains unverified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess variations in taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional dimensions of bat biodiversity along an elevational gradient.
- To determine if species richness is a reliable surrogate for phylogenetic or functional dispersion.
- To investigate the relationship between elevational gradients and different components of biodiversity.
Main Methods:
- Studied bat biodiversity in Peru's Manu Biosphere Reserve along an elevational gradient.
- Measured taxonomic (species richness), phylogenetic, and functional (Rao's quadratic entropy) dispersion.
- Phylogenetic dispersion used a mammalian supertree; functional dispersion analyzed six niche axes.
Main Results:
- Species richness decreased nonlinearly with elevation.
- Phylogenetic and overall functional dispersion showed no significant elevational association.
- High elevations exhibited greater phylogenetic, diet, and foraging strategy dispersion but less body size dispersion than expected.
Conclusions:
- Species richness is a poor surrogate for phylogenetic or functional dispersion.
- Phylogenetic dispersion effectively captures composite functional variation, indicating a phylogenetic signal in traits.
- Elevational biodiversity patterns are driven by mechanisms beyond richness, including competition and abiotic filtering.
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