A Numerical Analysis of the Distributional Patterns of North American Mammals

摘要: The major problems of geographical (as opposed to ecological) biogeography are the determination main patterns distribution, and elucidation how those came about. These separately constitute fields descriptive historical (Darlington, 1957). It is our purpose here consider first these as it applies species terrestrial mammals North America. A synthesis zoogeography was initiated in 1858 by Sclater, who named six avifaunal regions. His scheme adapted others (Huxley, 1868; Wallace, 1876; Heilprin, 1883 1887; others). Wallace's modification has become a standard basis modern studies (for details, see op. cit.; Schmidt, 1954; Newbigin, 1950; Darlington, Wallace number subregions America, but never became popular. zoogeographic areas continent have subsequently been worked out workers, including Van Dyke (1939) with beetles, Rostlund (1952) fishes, Savage (1960) amphibians reptiles, Gordon (1947) mammals. Regional analyses this sort often included faunistic accounts well. delimited termed variously, faunas, faunal groups, areas, distributional regions, subregions, provinces, or subprovinces. Zoogeographic whatever their rank, generally conceived being geographic regions relatively homogeneous fauna, which separated from other adjacent zones heterogeneity. Because homogeneity, they allow generalizations be made that apply over large areas. While biogeographers mapping biogeographic ecologists plotting distribution ecologic differ former make use primarily presence absence species, latter estimates total biomass all (especially plants), climate, geology, factors importance. include concepts life (Merriam, 1898; Muesebeck Krombein, 1952), plant formations (Clements, 1920; Weaver Clements, 1938), biomes (Shelford, 1932, 1945, 1963; Clements Shelford, 1939; Pitelka, 1941), ecosystems (Woodwell, 1963). Good variety growth such schemes given Dice Kendeigh (1954). One concept, biotic province, appears devised used both an manner. According (1954), concept developed H. A. Gleason, later appeared publications Ruthven (1906), Gates (1914), Vestal (1914). workers since, Burt (1938), Smith (1939, 1940, 1949), Mello-Leitao (1942), Goldman Moore (1945), Blair (1950), Miller (1951), Peters (1955). Maps provinces were published 1943 1961. Those