Assessing biodiversity and endemism using phylogenetic methods across multiple taxonomic groups

Ecology and Evolution

Carlos E. González-Orozco⁴  Brent D. Mishler²  Joseph T. Miller¹  Shawn W. Laffan³  Nunzio Knerr¹  Peter Unmack⁴  Arthur Georges⁴  Andrew H. Thornhill²  Dan F. Rosauer⁵ 

[1] Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia;University and Jepson Herbaria, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California;ORCID:orcid.org/0000-0002-5996-0570;Institute for Applied Ecology and Collaborative Research Network for Murray-Darling Basin Futures, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia;Division of Ecology, Evolution and Genetics, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

关键词: Australia;    biogeography;    conservation;    Murray–Darling basin;    phylogenetic diversity;    phylogenetic endemism;   

DOI  :  10.1002/ece3.1747

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Identifying geographical areas with the greatest representation of the tree of life is an important goal for the management and conservation of biodiversity. While there are methods available for using a single phylogenetic tree to assess spatial patterns of biodiversity, there has been limited exploration of how separate phylogenies from multiple taxonomic groups can be used jointly to map diversity and endemism. Here, we demonstrate how to apply different phylogenetic approaches to assess biodiversity across multiple taxonomic groups. We map spatial patterns of phylogenetic diversity/endemism to identify concordant areas with the greatest representation of biodiversity across multiple taxa and demonstrate the approach by applying it to the Murray–Darling basin region of southeastern Australia. The areas with significant centers of phylogenetic diversity and endemism were distributed differently for the five taxonomic groups studied (plant genera, fish, tree frogs, acacias, and eucalypts); no strong shared patterns across all five groups emerged. However, congruence was apparent between some groups in some parts of the basin. The northern region of the basin emerges from the analysis as a priority area for future conservation initiatives focused on eucalypts and tree frogs. The southern region is particularly important for conservation of the evolutionary heritage of plants and fishes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.