Endemism and regionalization of Neotropical mammals: a multi-taxon analysis

• Published in: Journal of mammalogy 2024-06, Vol.105 (4), p.792-808
• Main Authors: Machado, Valéria Ribeiro, Ramos Pereira, Maria João, Tirelli, Flávia Pereira, Bennet, David, Ferrari, Augusto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: análise de endemicidade; distributional patterns; endemicity analysis; endemism; endemismo; mammals; mamíferos; Neotropical region; padrão de distribuição; região Neotropical; RESEARCH ARTICLE
• ISSN: 0022-2372; 1545-1542
• DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyae055

The distribution pattern of a taxon is a consequence of historical and contemporary processes—specifically ecological and evolutionary processes—which tend to result in distributional congruence among species that respond similarly to the same processes. This congruence leads to the establishment of areas of endemism that are important for delimiting biogeographic regions. In the Neotropical region, different definitions of area of endemism have been proposed based on the distributional patterns of mammal species, each according to different methods and assumptions. In this study, we aimed to identify areas of endemism of Neotropical mammals, represented by 361 species of Placentalia (Xenarthra, Chiroptera, and Carnivora) and Marsupialia (Didelphimorphia and Paucituberculata), using an endemicity analysis implemented by the software NDM (eNDeMism software) and a hierarchical cluster analysis based on Simpson's beta dissimilarity metric (βsim). The results suggest alternative spatial configurations within northern and southern parts of the Neotropics along transition zones. Additionally, there are indications of more restricted areas of endemism throughout the Neotropical region and with more species supporting the areas, such 1 area located in the region corresponding to the Atlantic forest and 2 areas corresponding to Mexican transition zone. The study enhances our understanding of Neotropical mammal biogeography and underscores the importance of using primary distribution data. Previous studies found 82 endemic species based on range maps, whereas our analyses identified 172 endemic species, including 125 that are newly proposed as such, and also confirmed the existence of 47 previously reported endemic species. O padrão de distribuição de um táxon é consequência de processos históricos e contemporâneos, ecológico-evolutivos, havendo tendencialmente congruência distribucional entre espécies que respondem de forma semelhante aos mesmos processos. Esta congruência é responsável pela fixação de áreas de endemismo, as quais são de suma importância para a delimitação de regiões biogeográficas. Para a região Neotropical existem diferentes definições de área de endemismo associadas a padrões de distribuição de espécies de mamíferos, cada qual de acordo com distintos métodos e pressupostos. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar áreas de endemismo de mamíferos neotropicais, representados por 361 espécies dos taxa Placentalia (Xenarthra, Chiroptera e Carnivor