Large sampling effort is not related to richness and geographic distribution of Cladocera (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) in the Brazilian Savannah

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Cerrado is home of the headwaters of some important Brazilian basins. Such biome has a high diversity of animal and plant species with a high degree of endemism. This premise is well documented for microcrustaceans of the Superorder Cladocera, although many areas still need sampling. In this context, the objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the geographic distribution and richness of Cladocera in the Cerrado biome. The analyzed data were obtained from the authors database on Brazilian Cladocera and distributed according to the hydrographic regions comprised in the biome. Species distribution models were used to determine the areas with the highest probability of occurrence of Cladocera. We analyzed 125 publications, resulting in 2829 records. In total, we obtained 161 taxa, belonging to 48 genera and seven families. Regarding the Hydrographic Regions, Paraná presented the highest richness, followed by TocantinsAraguaia and São Francisco. Our result indicates that most studies are concentrated in certain areas. Furthermore, the species distribution models indicated that transition areas between biomes have the highest probability of occurrence of genera and families. Our results indicate significant gaps in the knowledge, making it necessary to expand inventories and ecological studies in areas still unsampled.