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Latitudinal gradients in phylogenetic relatedness of angiosperm trees in N orth A merica
Author(s) -
Qian Hong,
Zhang Yangjian,
Zhang Jian,
Wang Xianli
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
global ecology and biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.164
H-Index - 152
eISSN - 1466-8238
pISSN - 1466-822X
DOI - 10.1111/geb.12069
Subject(s) - phylogenetic tree , biology , species richness , clade , niche , phylogenetic diversity , ecology , latitude , phylogenetics , biodiversity , geography , biochemistry , geodesy , gene
Aim To test two predictions of the phylogenetic niche conservatism hypothesis for the latitudinal diversity gradient: (1) species in colder regions tend to be more phylogenetically related to each other (i.e. greater phylogenetic clustering) than those in warmer regions, and (2) clades are younger in colder regions. Location N orth A merica. Methods Correlation analysis was used to relate richness, mean clade age and phylogenetic relatedness (measured as phylogenetic species variability and net relatedness index) of angiosperm trees in 1175 regional assemblages (each with 12100 km 2 ) to latitude and minimum temperature. The analysis was conducted for N orth A merica north of M exico as a whole as well as for each of the three longitudinal bands (eastern, central and western) of N orth A merica. Results Species richness and mean clade age are negatively correlated with latitude and positively correlated with minimum temperature. Tree species in regional assemblages tend to be more phylogenetically related (clustered) in regions at higher latitudes with lower temperatures. Main conclusions The results of this study support two of the major predictions of the phylogenetic niche conservatism hypothesis for the latitudinal diversity gradient: species tend to be more phylogenetically clustered and ages of clades tend to be younger in colder regions, compared with those in warmer regions.