Rarity, commonness, and patterns of species richness: the mammals of Mexico

摘要: Aim To determine whether rare or common species contribute most to overall patterns of spatial variation in extant richness. Location Mexico. Methods Using data on the distribution mammal across Mexico at a quarter degree resolution, we ranked from widespread restricted (common-to-rare) within study area, and (rare-to-common), generated sequence richness for increasing numbers species. At each stage along both series patterns, correlated pattern subassemblage with that full assemblage. This allows comparison subassemblages n species, terms how well they match assemblage pattern. Further analyses examined effects these correlation amount raw information contained distributions given Results For mammals more widely distributed disproportionately compared particularly non-volant endemic is not simply consequence differences volumes disproportionate contribution if anything being sharpened when are taken into account. The clearly demonstrated by suggesting clearest causes rarity commonness limited those genuinely resulting narrow geographical ranges, respectively, rather than artificial (e.g. geopolitical) boundaries extents regions. Conclusions Perhaps surprisingly, an understanding determinants may gain consideration why occur some areas absent others,