Area and distance from mainland affect in different ways richness and phylogenetic diversity of snakes in Atlantic Forest coastal islands.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

The Theory of Island Biogeography posits that ecological and evolutionary processes regulate species richness of isolated areas. We assessed the influences of an island area and distance from the mainland on species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic composition of snakes on coastal islands.

Location

Coastal islands of the megadiverse Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil.

Methods

We compiled the species composition of 17 coastal islands in southeastern Brazil. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity were calculated for each island. Phylogenetic composition was measured using principal coordinates of phylogenetic structure. We then employed generalized linear models to test the influence of area and distance from the mainland on the diversity

SUBMITTER: Portillo JTDM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6468059 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature