Abstract
This paper highlights the results of bioclimatic-envelope modeling of whiptail lizards belonging to the Aspidoscelis tesselata species group and related species. We utilized five species distribution models (SDM) including Generalized Linear Model, Random Forest, Boosted Regression Tree, Maxent and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines to develop the present day distributions of the species based on climate-driven models alone. We then projected future distributions of whiptails using data from four climate models run according to two greenhouse gas concentration scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). Results of A. tesselata species group suggested that climate change will negatively affect the bioclimatic habitat and distribution of some species, while projecting gains in suitability for others. Furthermore, when the species group was analyzed together, climate projections changed for some species compared to when they were analyzed alone, suggesting significant loss of syntopic areas where suitable climatic conditions for more than two species would persist. In other words, syntopy within members of the species group will be drastically reduced according to future bioclimatic suitability projections in this study.
Highlights
Climate change affects biodiversity by modifying species habitats [1,2] and has been documented as the primary cause of abundance and distribution losses in many species [3,4]
Populations of the common checkered whiptail, tiger whiptail, Colorado checkered whiptail, Plateau spotted whiptail, common spotted whiptail, New Mexico whiptail and the gray-checkered whiptail occur within the southwest region of the United States (Figure 1)
In (a), specific ranges of the seven whiptail lizard species analyzed in this study: common checkered whiptail (Aspidoscelis tesselata), tiger whiptail (A. tigris), Colorado checkered whiptail
Summary
Climate change affects biodiversity by modifying species habitats [1,2] and has been documented as the primary cause of abundance and distribution losses in many species [3,4]. The changes could be damaging [5], such as a decrease of prairie wetland habitat and a decline of future wetland areas, leading to reduction in species population as habitats disappear [6,7]. Climate change can lead to shifts and contractions in species distributions and composition [2,8,9] and decreased production of male offspring by temperature-dependent species [10]. While some species could adapt to climatic change because of their ability to disperse [13,14], other species (e.g. reptiles) may not be mobile enough to adapt to local climate pressures [7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
