One of the most iconic vertebrate radiations of the Andes and South America is the lizard family Liolaemidae, which is in great part composed of almost 300 species in the genus Liolaemus. The family also features the phenotypically and ecologically conserved, cold-adapted Phymaturus lizards, and the single desert-dwelling member of the genus Ctenoblepharys. Because the diversity of this family is highly concentrated in Andean regions, there has been considerable research into the biogeography, diversification, and trait evolution of these species in the context of the Andes. However, a detailed assessment of their spatial diversity patterns, such as richness and endemism, as well as identification of evolutionary unique areas, which are relevant for biodiversity conservation, is conspicuously lacking. In this chapter, we integrate an updated phylogenetic hypothesis with a comprehensive spatial dataset to assess biogeographic patterns of diversity. Based on richness, weighted and phylogenetic endemism, and turnover, we identify five geographic areas that are unique in their phylogenetic and diversity patterns, and we highlight their importance in the context of the Andes.

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Biogeographic Patterns of Richness and Endemism in Liolaemidae: Identifying Hotspots for the Most Diverse Andean Reptile Radiation

  • Damien Esquerré,
  • Alexander Skeels

摘要

One of the most iconic vertebrate radiations of the Andes and South America is the lizard family Liolaemidae, which is in great part composed of almost 300 species in the genus Liolaemus. The family also features the phenotypically and ecologically conserved, cold-adapted Phymaturus lizards, and the single desert-dwelling member of the genus Ctenoblepharys. Because the diversity of this family is highly concentrated in Andean regions, there has been considerable research into the biogeography, diversification, and trait evolution of these species in the context of the Andes. However, a detailed assessment of their spatial diversity patterns, such as richness and endemism, as well as identification of evolutionary unique areas, which are relevant for biodiversity conservation, is conspicuously lacking. In this chapter, we integrate an updated phylogenetic hypothesis with a comprehensive spatial dataset to assess biogeographic patterns of diversity. Based on richness, weighted and phylogenetic endemism, and turnover, we identify five geographic areas that are unique in their phylogenetic and diversity patterns, and we highlight their importance in the context of the Andes.