Dispersal ability modulates the strength of the latitudinal richness gradient in European beetles

摘要: Aim A debate exists as to whether present-day diversity gradients are governed by current environmental conditions or changes in through time. Recent studies have shown that latitudinal richness might be partially caused incomplete post-glacial recolonization of high-latitude regions; this leads the prediction less mobile taxa should steeper than more taxa. The aim study is test prediction. Location Europe. Methods We first assessed spatial turnover species composition a good surrogate for dispersal ability measuring proportion wingless 19 European beetle clades and relating value (β sim) clade. then linearly regressed β sim values 21 against slope their respective gradients. Results strong relationship between sim, was found predictor Main conclusions consistent with poor dispersers dispersers, supporting view Europe affected lags. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.