We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Current and historical factors influencing patterns of species richness and turnover of birds in the Gulf of Guinea highlands.
- Authors
Graham, Catherine H.; Smith, Thomas B.; Languy, Marc
- Abstract
The aims of this paper are to: examine how current and historical ecological factors affect patterns of species richness, endemism and turnover in the Gulf of Guinea highlands, test theoretical biogeographical predictions and provide information for making informed conservation decisions. The Gulf of Guinea highlands in West Africa. We used multivariate and matrix regression models, and cluster analyses to assess the influence of current climate and current and historical isolation on patterns of richness and turnover for montane birds across the highlands. We examined three groups of birds: montane species (including widespread species), montane endemics and endemic subspecies. We applied a complementarity-based reserve selection algorithm using species richness with irreplaceability measures to identify areas of high conservation concern. Environmental factors influenced richness for all groups of birds (species, endemic species and subspecies). Areas with high and consistent annual rainfall showed the highest species and endemic richness. Species clusters for all groups of birds generally differentiated three major montane regions, which are topographically isolated. Multiple mantel tests identified these same regions for endemic species and subspecies. The influence of historical isolation varied by species group; distributions of endemic montane species and subspecies were more associated with historical breaks than were all montane species, which included widespread non-endemic species. Our analyses indicated important geographical structure amongst the bird assemblages in the highlands and, therefore, conservation prioritization should include mountains from within the geographical subregions identified in these analyses because these regions may harbour evolutionarily distinct populations of birds.
- Subjects
NEW Guinea (Island); BIRDS; UPLANDS; ANIMAL species; BIODIVERSITY
- Publication
Journal of Biogeography, 2005, Vol 32, Issue 8, p1371
- ISSN
0305-0270
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2699.2005.01284.x