On Lizard Species Diversity: North American Flatland Deserts

摘要: Eight potential mechanisms for the determination of species diversity are described and discussed, data relevant to each presented a particular gradient: namely that flat land desert lizards western North America. It is concluded ecological time, spatial heterogeneity, length growing season, amount warm season productivity all factors which determine total number lizard occurring on an area, but most important single factor heterogeneity (mainly vegetative) environment. suggested climatic variability allows coexistence many different plant life forms, variety in turn controls species.