Higher speciation and lower extinction rates influence mammal diversity gradients in Asia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about the patterns and correlates of mammal diversity gradients in Asia. In this study, we examine patterns of species distributions and phylogenetic diversity in Asia and investigate if the observed diversity patterns are associated with differences in diversification rates between the tropical and non-tropical regions. We used species distribution maps and phylogenetic trees to generate species and phylogenetic diversity measures for 1° × 1° cells across mainland Asia. We constructed lineage-through-time plots and estimated diversification shift-times to examine the temporal patterns of diversifications across orders. Finally, we tested if the observed gradients in Asia could be associated with geographical differences in diversification rates across th

SUBMITTER: Tamma K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4333168 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature