Spatial Distribution of Phylogenetic Diversity of South American Anurans

Abstract

Understanding the spatial distributions of phylogenetic diversity is an opportunity to support policy-makers and designing conservation strategies in megadiverse regions. Here, we mapped the spatial distribution of Faith's phylogenetic diversity (PD) and phylogenetic endemism (PE) of amphibian species distributed across South America. Although we found areas of high species richness (SR) correlated with areas of high PD or PE, there are regions with much more PD/PE or much less PD/PE than expected given the SR. Using a phylogenetic approach, we found that the factors regulating amphibian biodiversity involve a complex interplay of evolutionary and biogeographical processes in different regions of South America. These results might help supporting conservation planning for this threatened vertebrate group.