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1. Diversity of Nearctic and Palaearctid Dragonflies and Damselflies

   Abbott, John C; Kalkman, V; Bota-Sierra, Cornelio A; Boudot, Jean-Pierre; Futahashi, Ryo; Gonzalez-Soriano, Enrique; Novelo-Gutierrez, Rodolfo; Guralnick, Robert; Bybee, Seth; Ware, Jessica; et al (June 2023, ICO 2023 program)

   Sparrow, David (Ed.)

   Species distribution models (SDMs) were created for 509 Nearctic and 402 Palaearctic species of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata). Species occurrence data were assembled by reviewing databases of specimens held by significant Odonata repositories and through an extensive search of literature references for the whole of the Nearctic and Palaearctic (excluding China and the Himalayan region). Species were categorized as forest-dependent or non-forest-dependent (Nearctic only), as lentic or lotic-dependent, and according to conservation status. Predicted distributions were stacked for all species across their entire ranges, including areas outside of the Nearctic and Palaearctic. Species richness and corrected weighted endemism (CWE) were then calculated for each grid cell. We found a pattern of greater species richness in the eastern portion of the Nearctic, which can be explained by the higher aquatic habitat diversity at micro and macroscales east of the Rocky Mountains, promoting niche partitioning and specialization. In the Nearctic region, the southeastern US has the highest number of endemic species of dragonflies and damselflies; this degree of endemism is likely due to glacial refuges providing a foundation for the evolution of a rich and unique biota. In the Palaearctic, these maps show a clear pattern of decreasing diversity longitudinally, with species numbers dropping in the eastern half of Europe and remaining low throughout a large part of Russia, then increasing again towards Russia’s Far East and Korea. Areas with a high diversity of species assessed as threatened on the IUCN red list are largely restricted to the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, and Japan, with clear hotspots found in the Levant and the southern half of Japan. 

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2. Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity: Evolution, distribution, and use

   https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abf0869  

   Antonelli, Alexandre; Smith, Rhian J.; Perrigo, Allison L.; Crottini, Angelica; Hackel, Jan; Testo, Weston; Farooq, Harith; Torres Jiménez, Maria F.; Andela, Niels; Andermann, Tobias; et al (December 2022, Science)

   BACKGROUND The Republic of Madagascar is home to a unique assemblage of taxa and a diverse set of ecosystems. These high levels of diversity have arisen over millions of years through complex processes of speciation and extinction. Understanding this extraordinary diversity is crucial for highlighting its global importance and guiding urgent conservation efforts. However, despite the detailed knowledge that exists on some taxonomic groups, there are large knowledge gaps that remain to be filled. ADVANCES Our comprehensive analysis of major taxonomic groups in Madagascar summarizes information on the origin and evolution of terrestrial and freshwater biota, current species richness and endemism, and the utilization of this biodiversity by humans. The depth and breadth of Madagascar’s biodiversity—the product of millions of years of evolution in relative isolation —is still being uncovered. We report a recent acceleration in the scientific description of species but many remain relatively unknown, particularly fungi and most invertebrates. DIGITIZATION Digitization efforts are already increasing the resolution of species richness patterns and we highlight the crucial role of field- and collections-based research for advancing biodiversity knowledge in Madagascar. Phylogenetic diversity patterns mirror that of species richness and endemism in most of the analyzed groups. Among the new data presented, our update on plant numbers estimates 11,516 described vascular plant species native to Madagascar, of which 82% are endemic, in addition to 1215 bryophyte species, of which 28% are endemic. Humid forests are highlighted as centers of diversity because of their role as refugia and centers of recent and rapid radiations, but the distinct endemism of other areas such as the grassland-woodland mosaic of the Central Highlands and the spiny forest of the southwest is also important despite lower species richness. Endemism in Malagasy fungi remains poorly known given the lack of data on the total diversity and global distribution of species. However, our analysis has shown that ~75% of the fungal species detected by environmental sequencing have not been reported as occurring outside of Madagascar. Among the 1314 species of native terrestrial and freshwater vertebrates, levels of endemism are extremely high (90% overall)—all native nonflying terrestrial mammals and native amphibians are found nowhere else on Earth; further, 56% of the island’s birds, 81% of freshwater fishes, 95% of mammals, and 98% of reptile species are endemic. Little is known about endemism in insects, but data from the few well-studied groups on the island suggest that it is similarly high. The uses of Malagasy species are many, with much potential for the uncovering of useful traits for food, medicine, and climate mitigation. OUTLOOK Considerable work remains to be done to fully characterize Madagascar’s biodiversity and evolutionary history. The multitudes of known and potential uses of Malagasy species reported here, in conjunction with the inherent value of this unique and biodiverse region, reinforce the importance of conserving this unique biota in the face of major threats such as habitat loss and overexploitation. The gathering and analysis of data on Madagascar’s remarkable biota must continue and accelerate if we are to safeguard this unique and highly threatened subset of Earth’s biodiversity. Emergence and composition of Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity. Madagascar’s biota is the result of over 160 million years of evolution, mostly in geographic isolation, combined with sporadic long distance immigration events and local extinctions. (Left) We show the age of the oldest endemic Malagasy clade for major groups (from bottom to top): arthropods, bony fishes, reptiles, flatworms, birds, amphibians, flowering plants, mammals, non-flowering vascular plants, and mollusks). Humans arrived recently, some 10,000 to 2000 years (top right) and have directly or indirectly caused multiple extinctions (including hippopotamus, elephant birds, giant tortoises, and giant lemurs) and introduced many new species (such as dogs, zebu, rats, African bushpigs, goats, sheep, rice). Endemism is extremely high and unevenly distributed across the island (the heat map depicts Malagasy palm diversity, a group characteristic of the diverse humid forest). Human use of biodiversity is widespread, including 1916 plant species with reported uses. The scientific description of Malagasy biodiversity has accelerated greatly in recent years (bottom right), yet the diversity and evolution of many groups remain practically unknown, and many discoveries await. 

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3. Spatial phylogenetics of Fagales: Investigating drivers of temperate forest distributions

   https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14840  

   Folk, R_A; Siniscalchi, C_M; Doby, J.; Kates, H_R; Manchester, S_R; Soltis, P_S; Soltis, D_E; Guralnick, R_P; Belitz, M. (April 2024, Journal of Biogeography)

   Abstract AimQuantifying the phylogenetic diversity of temperate trees is essential for understanding the processes that have shaped the modern distribution of temperate broadleaf forest and other major forest biomes. Here, we focus on Fagales, an iconic member of forests worldwide, to uncover global diversity and endemism patterns and investigate the distribution of root nodule symbiosis (RNS), an important morphological specialisation in this clade, as a key factor behind these patterns. LocationGlobal. TaxonFagales. MethodsWe combined phylogenetic data covering 60.2% of living species, fine‐scale distribution models covering 90% of species, and nodulation data covering all species to investigate the distribution of species richness and phylogenetic diversity at fine spatial scales compared to the distribution of RNS. We identify abiotic environmental factors associated with RNS and with Fagales diversity in general. ResultsWe find the highest species richness in temperate east Asia, eastern North America, and equatorial montane regions of Asia and Central America. By contrast, relative phylogenetic diversity (RPD) is highest at higher latitudes, where RNS also predominates. We found a strong spatial structuring of regionalisations of Fagales floras, reflecting distinct Northern and Southern Hemisphere floras (except a unique Afro‐Boreal region), each with distinct RNS‐environment relationships. Main ConclusionsAlthough species richness and phylogenetic regionalisation for Fagales accord well with traditional biogeographic concepts for temperate forests, this is not the case for RPD. RNS is almost universal in the highest RPD regions, which may reflect ecological filtering promoting RNS in these regions. Our results highlight the utility of global‐scale, clade‐specific spatial phylogenetics and its utility for understanding drivers of diversity in species‐rich clades. 

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4. Biogeographical evaluation and conservation assessment of arboreal leafhoppers in the Mexican Transition Zone biodiversity hotspot

   https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13254  

   Pinedo‐Escatel, Jorge Adilson; Aragón‐Parada, Juvenal; Dietrich, Christopher H.; Moya‐Raygoza, Gustavo; Zahniser, James N.; Portillo, Liberato; Hou, ed., Zhonge (March 2021, Diversity and Distributions)

   Abstract AimsMexico harbours a diverse fauna comprising more than 1,400 leafhopper species, 60% of which appear to be strictly endemic, with many apparently restricted to particular habitats and host plants. The aims of this study were to identify areas of high species richness and endemism, and determine the biogeographic affinities of species in the diverse arboreal tribe Athysanini to provide data useful for conservation prioritization. LocationMexico. MethodsA data set of 643 historical occurrence records based on authoritatively identified specimens from museums, recent fieldwork, literature and digital repositories was analysed. Analyses of species richness and areas of endemism were conducted using geographic information systems. ResultsA total of 164 species belonging of 50 genera were included, of which 145 species of 31 genera are considered to be endemic. The Mexican state of Guerrero yielded the most species records (48%). The highest numbers of taxa and endemic species were concentrated along the Mexican Transition Zone (MTZ) within which the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt (TVB) province had the most species records. Endemicity analyses showed two different geographical patterns but similar species richness weights with overlapping values over the MTZ. Distribution across vegetation types was not uniform, with most athysanine species concentrated in the dry tropical forest (65%). Species were documented at elevations between sea level and 3,200 m a.s.l. with three altitudinal preference classes. Conservation assessments applying IUCN criteria categorized a majority of species (145) as endangered or critically endangered. Main conclusionsOur findings suggest that most identified areas of high species richness throughout the territory have predominantly endemic taxa. Distributional patterns found are non‐random, influenced by richness and endemism values over the TVB province and in the MTZ with a variable dispersion among species. Data highlight a greatly threatened status by habitat loss, remarking an urgent need for an improved conservation framework. 

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5. Mapping density, diversity and species-richness of the Amazon tree flora

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05514-6  

   ter_Steege, Hans; Pitman, Nigel_C A; do_Amaral, Iêda Leão; de_Souza_Coelho, Luiz; de_Almeida_Matos, Francisca Dionízia; de_Andrade_Lima_Filho, Diógenes; Salomão, Rafael P; Wittmann, Florian; Castilho, Carolina V; Guevara, Juan Ernesto; et al (December 2023, Communications Biology)

   Abstract Using 2.046 botanically-inventoried tree plots across the largest tropical forest on Earth, we mapped tree species-diversity and tree species-richness at 0.1-degree resolution, and investigated drivers for diversity and richness. Using only location, stratified by forest type, as predictor, our spatial model, to the best of our knowledge, provides the most accurate map of tree diversity in Amazonia to date, explaining approximately 70% of the tree diversity and species-richness. Large soil-forest combinations determine a significant percentage of the variation in tree species-richness and tree alpha-diversity in Amazonian forest-plots. We suggest that the size and fragmentation of these systems drive their large-scale diversity patterns and hence local diversity. A model not using location but cumulative water deficit, tree density, and temperature seasonality explains 47% of the tree species-richness in the terra-firme forest in Amazonia. Over large areas across Amazonia, residuals of this relationship are small and poorly spatially structured, suggesting that much of the residual variation may be local. The Guyana Shield area has consistently negative residuals, showing that this area has lower tree species-richness than expected by our models. We provide extensive plot meta-data, including tree density, tree alpha-diversity and tree species-richness results and gridded maps at 0.1-degree resolution. 

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