Centre Of Endemism Research Articles

Diversity Patterns of Neotropical Ferns: Revisiting Tryon's Centers of Richness and Endemism

Almost fifty years ago Dr. Rolla M. Tryon investigated the patterns of neotropical fern diversity and discovered that sites of exceptional richness and endemism are found in five predominantly montane regions. Here, we revisit these sites with the aid of contemporary methodologies. We integrate phylogenetic, ecological, climatic, and occurrence data to better understand what factors contribute to the patterns of fern diversity throughout the neotropics. With this dataset we are able to reassess Tryon's neotropical hotspots fifty years later and take one step closer to understanding the processes governing the distribution of fern species. We recover six hotspots of neotropical species richness and endemism that closely mirror those delineated by Tryon. Like Tryon, we find that hotspots are found predominantly in montane regions with more climatic space compared to surrounding areas. Patterns of species richness and lineage diversification can largely be explained by the extent of available habitats, especially in association with montane ecosystems. We also show that patterns of species assemblages across the neotropics are largely dictated by distance and elevation. In synthesis, we propose that, in addition to migration and persistence of relictual lineages, patterns of species richness and endemism in the neotropics are driven by in situ speciation in montane regions.

Little trace of floristic homogenization in peri‐urban Andean secondary forests despite high anthropogenic transformation

Abstract Pervasive human impact in heavily transformed landscapes may lead disturbance‐adapted species to thrive, resulting in floristic homogenization across forest stands. However, environmental heterogeneity and dispersal limitation may be antagonistic forces to homogenization, maintaining inherent floristic differentiation across sites. We evaluated the extent to which peri‐urban Andean forests are undergoing floristic homogenization in both late‐ and early‐successional stands. We considered seedling assemblages as well, as they provide key insights into forests’ future. We then quantified the relative importance of dispersal limitation and environmental filtering in determining the observed patterns of floristic similarity across the landscape. We used tree, seedling, soil and climatic data from six sites located in the high plain where Bogotá lies (Colombia). Within each site, we established six 20 × 20 m plots, three in early‐successional stands and three in late‐successional stands, for a total of 36 plots. To evaluate the extent of floristic homogenization, we defined tree floristic similarity among late‐successional stands as a baseline, reflecting our best‐guess of the original species composition that would have once occurred previous to intense anthropogenic intervention. Tree floristic turnover across the landscape was alike in late‐ and in early‐secondary stands, a finding that does not support the homogenization scenario. Seedling species composition, in contrast, was more homogeneous among early‐ than among late‐secondary stands, an outcome suggestive of homogenization. The relative importance of spatial and environmental drivers shifted between life stages. Distance between plots was the best predictor of tree species dissimilarity (29% of variance explained), whereas seedling compositional variation was more sensitive to changes in environmental conditions (41% of the variance explained). Relative humidity and several variables related to soil fertility showed a significant effect on floristic dissimilarity across the landscape, although significant factors were often different between life stages. Synthesis. Despite high anthropogenic transformation, we found little trace of floristic homogenization in these peri‐urban landscapes. Inherent floristic differentiation, promoted both by dispersal limitation and environmental heterogeneity, suggests that all patches are important to the conservation in these Andean forests, critical centres of endemism.

Amphibians and reptiles of Parque Nacional da Serra das Lontras: an important center of endemism within the Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia, Brazil.

Information gaps about species distribution hamper the evaluation of conservation status and decisions on biodiversity conservation, affecting to a greater extent, areas with high species richness and endemism. In this context, biological inventories are an important tool to fill these gaps by providing data on the composition, richness, and abundance of species in each locality. The Parque Nacional da Serra das Lontras (PNSL) protects various mountain range just up 1000 m. in altitude, and, together with other conservation units, forms an ecological corridor in the southern part of the state of Bahia, within the Atlantic Forest hotspot. We conducted systematic samplings on transects, and opportunistic records in ponds and streams, in order to record amphibian and reptile species in the PNSL. We complement the sampling with the information available in the literature and in scientific collections. A total of 100 species (49 amphibians and 51 reptiles) was recorded, 53 of them endemic to the Atlantic Forest, 13 to the state of Bahia, and two known only from the PNSL. Hylidae was the most diverse family of amphibians (22 spp.) and Colubridae of reptiles (33 spp.). New information on the distribution and natural history of these species is provided, many of which have not yet been assessed by the IUCN while others have already been categorized as at risk of extinction at the regional level. Results confirm the high species richness and rates of endemism in southern Bahia and highlight the importance of protecting high altitude areas for the preservation of evolutionary and ecological processes within the Atlantic Forest.

Snakes of the Pernambuco Endemism Center, Brazil: diversity, natural history and conservation.

The Atlantic Forest is one of the largest and richest tropical rainforests on the planet, being one of the 25 world priorities for conservation. The Atlantic Forest portion located north of the São Francisco River corresponds to the Pernambuco Endemism Center (PEC). We describe the snake composition of the PEC, providing information about the diversity, natural history and geographical distribution of the species, based on records from five scientific collections and additional information from the literature. A total of 78 species of snakes distributed in eight families was registered in the Pernambuco Endemism Center. The Caatinga is the Brazilian biome that most shares species with the PEC, followed by Cerrado. On the other hand, seven species are considered endemic of this region. Most of the snake species in the PEC have been registered in forest (94.8%), followed by “Brejos Nordestinos” (46.1%), Tabuleiros (43.5%), Restingas (14.1%) and Mangroves (5.1%). The PEC snake fauna includes mainly terrestrial species (60.2%) and cryptozoic and/or fossorial species (21.7%), but also presents a high richness of semi-arboreal and arboreal species (29.5%). Vertebrates are the main food item consumed by the species (78% of species), among the main prey are mammals, lizards, and amphibians. Most species show a strictly nocturnal activity period (50%), followed by strictly diurnal (38%). The PEC is the most degraded and least known region of the Atlantic Forest, yet it has revealed a high richness of snake species, including seven endemic species. It is emphasized that regional conservation efforts need to be intensified, because few forests in the region are formally protected, and the majority consist of small and poorly protected fragments, which means that many species in the region may be in risk of extinction.

Identifying conservation priority areas for gymnosperm species under climate changes in China

China has a rich flora of gymnosperms. Gymnosperm species dominate and co-dominate more than half of China's forest area, but many of them are threatened and vulnerable to climate changes. This study mapped the geographical distributions of 209 gymnosperm species in China, modeled the niches of 124 gymnosperm species with adequate records of field occurrences using MaxEnt, and predicted their range changes under two dispersal scenarios (no dispersal and unlimited dispersal) and three emission scenarios (Representative concentration pathway [RCP] 2.6, RCP 6.0, RCP 8.5). To inform gymnosperm conservation facing climate change, we proposed a multi-criteria framework to identify conservation priority areas by integrating information on species diversity patterns and potential climate refugia, and detected gymnosperm conservation gaps with reference to the existing conservation networks. Our results indicated that the centers of species richness, threatened species, and endemism of gymnosperms in China were highly consistent in space and were concentrated in the subtropical mountains. By the 2070s, 64 (RCP 2.6)–88 (RCP 8.5) species would lose more than 10% of their currently suitable climatic niche, and 19 (RCP 2.6)–45 (RCP 8.5) species would lose more than 30%. Cathaya argyrophylla (endangered, EN), Pinus bungeana (EN), Pinus koraiensis (vulnerable, VU) and Torreya fargesii (VU) would be most vulnerable to the projected climate changes. Seven high conservation priority regions were identified, and a substantial proportion of the regions were found lack of adequate protection. The primary recommended measures included increasing the size of protected areas to cover more high priority regions and establishing populations in new sites as required ex-situ conservation efforts.

A short distance to the last glacial coast best explains a Tasmanian centre of endemism

At the small scales of world, continent and region, centres of local endemism have been hypothesised to be related to refugia and/or distinctive environmental conditions. We consider patterning of local endemics at a large scale to help test the validity of these two hypotheses for centres of local endemism recognised at smaller scales. Our study area was a centre of local endemism on the Tasman and Forestier peninsulas, Tasmania, Australia. We tested the distinctiveness of both the current climatic and edaphic conditions and the potential for refugia during Quaternary climatic fluctuations, using databases, published maps, and direct observation of climate. Inverse rarity analyses at 1 km2 showed a pattern of concentration of local endemics near the east and southeast coasts of the peninsulas. However, the ranges of species at a larger scale were largely non-overlapping. Climate did not differ from other coastal areas in southeastern Tasmania that lacked local endemics. Climatically similar areas to the centre of local endemism on and outside the peninsulas also had treeless vegetation on skeletal soils on dolerite and mudstone that were habitat for many of the species in the peninsulas centre of local endemism. The areas with high concentrations of local endemics on the peninsulas were located close to the coastline of the Last Glacial Maximum, unlike other areas with the same climatic and edaphic environments inside and outside the peninsulas. The conclusion that the centre of local endemism relates to a closely adjacent glacial refugium, rather than being a response to a distinctive environment, was reinforced by the non-overlapping distributions of the most locally endemic species at a large scale, and the variability in the habitat of the most locally endemic species. This study illustrates the value of investigating the causes of centres of local endemism at a range of scales and confirms the tight link between centres of endemism and refugia.

Further new species and records from the coastal dry forests and woodlands of the Rovuma Centre of Endemism

Background and aims – The coastal dry forests and woodlands of Cabo Delgado Province (Mozambique), part of the proposed Rovuma Centre of Endemism that is shared with coastal southern Tanzania, are known to support high numbers of endemic and highly range-restricted species. Here we investigate the taxonomic status of three taxa that were discovered and highlighted as potential novelties during botanical surveys of northeast Cabo Delgado in 2003–2012.Methods – This study was based on standard practices of herbarium taxonomy and morphological analyses. The conservation (extinction risk) assessments are based on application of the Categories and Criteria of the IUCN Red List. Key results – Three new species are described, all of which are currently thought to be endemic to Cabo Delgado Province and recorded from the area around the coastal town of Palma and/or inland along the lower Rovuma River Escarpment. Casearia celastroides I.Darbysh. & J.E.Burrows (Salicaceae), the smallest African member of its genus, is assessed as globally Endangered. Convolvulus goyderi J.R.I.Wood (Convolvulaceae), which, in contrast, has the largest flowers in its genus in tropical Africa, is known only from the type collection and is assessed as Data Deficient (DD) but could potentially be threatened. Vitex franceseana I.Darbysh. & Goyder (Lamiaceae) is also assessed as globally Endangered. Crossopetalum mossambicense I.Darbysh., a species previously thought to be endemic to Cabo Delgado, is reported for the first time in neighbouring southeast Tanzania. A review of new species discoveries from Mozambique since 2010 reveals that 26 species (one third of the newly published species) are derived from the forests and woodlands of the Rovuma Centre of Endemism, which is a critical area for plant conservation in Mozambique.

<p><strong><em>Petalidium kaokoense</em> (Acanthaceae), a new species from Namibia</strong></p>

Petalidium kaokoense, here described as a new species, is only known from the Hartmann Mountains and one other location on the inland plateau in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, northwestern Namibia, where it grows on hillsides and mountain slopes. Diagnostic characters for P. kaokoense include the stout trunk on older plants, white bark, peeling on the younger branches in long, narrow strips, stellate trichomes, short inflorescences of racemoid dichasia with acute linear-oblanceolate or linear-lanceolate bracts, flowers with maroon corollas with the two upper lobes connate towards the base and the lower lobe with two yellow spots near the base. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate between Petalidium kaokoense and its presumed close relative, the morphologically similar P. physaloides, is provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Vulnerable (VU D1) is recommended for the new species.

A new species of the Rhinella margaritifera (Laurenti 1768) species group (Anura, Bufonidae) from southern Brazilian Amazonia.

Neotropical toads from the Rhinella margaritifera species group have been considered a taxonomic puzzle for a long time. Because of the high morphological similarity and an unknown number of undescribed taxa among the species of this group, we did an extensive search for character distribution within all nominal taxa. Herein we describe Rhinella parecis sp. nov. a new species from Southern Brazilian Amazon. We provide a morphological diagnosis, morphometric comparisons with similar species, and a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis on the relationships of the new species. Rhinella parecis sp. nov. is assigned to the R. margaritifera group and differs from others species by snout-vent length ranging 40.7-53.5 mm in males (n=12) and 44.9-54.8 mm in females (n=4), snout rounded in dorsal view, acute with fleshy ridge extending to tip of snout in lateral view, canthal and pre-orbital crests absent, supra-orbital, parietal and supra-tympanic crests present and low, dorsolateral row of tubercles present, bony protrusion at the angle of jaws absent, tympanum evident, vertebral apophyses absent and toes half-webbed. The new species is the 20th species associated to the R. margaritifera group distributed in the Chapada dos Parecis, a probable center of endemism in states of Rondônia and Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Climate change and the future of endemic flora in the South Western Alps: relationships between niche properties and extinction risk

Climate change seriously threatens biodiversity, particularly in mountain ecosystems. However, studies on climate change effects rarely consider endemic species and their niche properties. Using species distribution models, we assessed the impact of climate change on the endemic flora of the richest centre of endemism in the Alps: the South-Western Alps. We projected the potential distributions of 100 taxa under both an optimistic (RCP2.6) and a pessimistic (RCP8.5) climate scenario, analysing the relationships between range dynamics and several predictors (dispersal abilities, vegetation belts, niche marginality, niche breadth, altitudinal range and present range). The negative impact ranged from weak to severe according to the scenario, but the extinction risk was low. The dispersal abilities of species strongly affected these range dynamics. Colline and subalpine species were the most threatened and the relationship between range dynamics and predictors varied among vegetation belts. Our results suggest that the rough topography of the SW Alps will probably buffer the climate change effects on endemics, especially if climate will remain within the limits already experienced by species during the Holocene. The presence of the Mediterranean-mountain flora, less affected by climate change than the alpine one, may explain the lower number of species threatened by extinction in the SW Alps than in other European mountains. These results suggest that the relationship between plants’ sensitivity to climate change, and both niche properties and vegetation belts, depends on the difference between the current climate in which species grow and the future climate, and not just on their niche breadth.

The Pantepui in the Brazilian Amazon: Vascular Flora of Serra Do Aracá, a Cradle of Diversity, Richness and Endemism

Formed by tall flat-topped mountains known as tepuis, the Pantepui is an important center of vascular plant endemism and diversity in South America. In Brazil, the Pantepui is mostly on the border of Venezuela, and an isolated area, Serra do Araca, stands out as the tepui southernmost. In this paper we present a floristic survey of the vascular plants that occur on Serra do Araca, compare the richness to other tepuis, and commented on the conservation of Amazonian “campos rupestres”. Our dataset includes over 1600 records, either collected by us in three field expeditions, or by other botanists. A checklist with 436 species of vascular plants is provided. Our study also shows that among the 34 tepuis of the Pantepui, Serra do Araca ranks tenth in species richness and has 24 endemic species. Serra do Araca, like other tepuis, houses representatives of ancestral lineages of vascular plants of South America, showing how important tepuis are as cradles of lineages. Despite its importance for Amazonian biodiversity, Serra do Araca is one of the natural reserves in the Amazon with the highest number of requests for mining.

Comparative phylogeographic and demographic analyses reveal a congruent pattern of sister relationships between bird populations of the northern and south-central Atlantic Forest

The Pernambuco Center of Endemism (PCE) is the northernmost strip of the Atlantic Forest (AF). Biogeographic affinities among avifaunas in the PCE, the southern-central Atlantic Forest (SCAF), and Amazonia (AM) have not been studied comprehensively, and current patterns of genetic diversity in the PCE remain unclear. The interplay between species’ ecological attributes and historical processes, such as Pleistocene climate fluctuations or the appearance of rivers, may have affected population genetic structures in the PCE. Moreover, the role of past connections between the PCE and AM and the elevational distribution of species in assembling the PCE avifauna remain untested. Here, we investigated the biogeographic history of seven taxa endemic to the PCE within a comparative phylogeographic framework based on a mean of 3,618 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) extracted from flanking regions of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and one mitochondrial gene. We found that PCE populations were more closely related to SCAF populations than they were to those in AM, regardless of their elevational range, with divergence times placed during the Mid-Pleistocene. These splits were consistent with a pattern of allopatric divergence with gene flow until the upper Pleistocene and no signal of rapid changes in population sizes. Our results support the existence of a Pleistocene refugium driving current genetic diversity in the PCE, thereby rejecting the role of the São Francisco River as a primary barrier for population divergence. Additionally, we found that connections with Amazonia also played a significant role in assembling the PCE avifauna through subsequent migration events.

The genus Manfreda (Asparagaceae; Agavoideae) in Guerrero, Mexico: richness, distribution and the description of a new species

Background: Manfreda includes 37 species distributed from southeastern United States to Honduras. The Pacific Lowlands and Sierra Madre del Sur biogeographic provinces and Guerrero state are the centers of species richness and endemism for the genus in Mexico.
 Questions: How is the geographical distribution of Manfreda in Guerrero? Some specimen does not match any known Manfreda species, could be these collections a new species?
 Studied species: Fourteen Manfreda species.
 Study site: Guerrero, Mexico.
 Methods: The analysis was based on specimens reviewed from 19 herbaria, fieldwork, and records in specialized literature. The richness was quantified by municipalities, biogeographic provinces, and a grid cell, using geographic information systems. The morphological descriptions and the recognition of new species are based on traditional taxonomic methods.
 Results: Database included 86 records for 14 species. The richness is concentrated in 10 cells located in the transition between the Balsas Basin, Transmexican Volcanic Belt and the Sierra Madre del Sur. Some specimens that could not be assigned to any of the known species in Manfreda and proposed as a new species, which is presented with illustrations, an identification key, and a distribution map.
 Conclusions: Given the richness, the endemism, and the low density of collections of Manfreda in Guerrero, we found that the richness is likely greater than previously estimated and it could be expected to find new species. It is advisable to focus on the collection towards the Pacific Lowlands, since there is the greatest richness in Mexico.

Do Centres of Endemism provide a spatial context for predicting and preserving plant phylogeographic patterns in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa?

AimThe evolutionary forces that gave rise to the exceptional plant species richness of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) have also likely played a role at the intraspecific level (i.e. plant populations)—and thereby generating shared phylogeographic patterns among taxa. Here we test whether plant populations in the CFR exhibit phylogeographic breaks across the boundaries between Centres of Endemism (CoEs). The boundaries between CoEs (derived from the distribution ranges of endemic taxa and currently mapped at a coarse, Quarter Degree Square scale) represent a spatial proxy for the evolutionary diversifying drivers acting on plant taxa in the CFR.LocationThe CFR, located along the southern Cape of South Africa.MethodsPublished phylogeographic literature were compiled and spatial patterns of genetic divergence re-analysed to assess the frequency at which CFR plant taxa exhibit phylogeographic breaks either (1) across or (2) within CoE boundaries. Population pairs from each study were compared across and within CoEs and scored as either exhibiting a phylogeographic break or not.ResultsPhylogeographic breaks in Cape plants were found to occur across the boundaries of CoEs more often than not. Significantly more population pairs exhibited phylogeographic breaks across CoE boundaries (506 of the 540, χ2 = 886, p < 0.001) and fewer breaks within CoEs (94 of 619, χ2 = 300, p < 0.001) than would be expected if there was equal probability of a genetic break occurring across CoE boundaries.Main conclusionsThe evolutionary forces that have produced and maintained the exceptional plant diversity in the CFR appear to have operated at the population level, producing similar patterns of phylogeographic structuring of plant lineages regardless of life history or taxonomy. This tendency for Cape plants to exhibit shared patterns of spatially structured genetic diversity that match the distribution of endemic taxa may assist CFR phylogeographers to streamline sampling efforts and test novel hypotheses pertaining to the distribution of genetic diversity among CFR plant taxa. Additionally, the resolution at which CoEs are mapped should be refined, which may provide a valuable tool for future conservation planning and the development of precautionary guidelines for the translocation of genetic material during species reintroductions and commercial cultivation of Cape endemic crops. Thus, to answer the question ‘Do Centres of Endemism provide a spatial context for predicting and preserving plant phylogeographic patterns in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa?’—yes, CoEs do appear to be an important tool for Cape phylogeographers. However, the data is limited and more plant phylogeography work is needed in the CFR.

Spatial phylogenetics of two topographic extremes of the Hengduan Mountains in southwestern China and its implications for biodiversity conservation

Previous attempts to elucidate the drivers of speciation mechanisms and spatial distribution patterns of biodiversity in mountain regions have treated different floras within a single geological region as one flora, ignoring the potential contributions of high habitat/ecosystem heterogeneity. Furthermore, current conservation strategies largely focus on forest ecosystems and/or specific flagship species, ignoring marginal ecosystems, leaving species in these ecosystems at risk. Here, we compared the spatial patterns of biodiversity and the potential drivers of these patterns in the river valley and subnival ecosystems of the Hengduan Mountains region (HDM) in southwestern China. Specifically, we compared spatial patterns of diversity, endemism, and threatened species in these ecosystems based on both traditional measurements and recent phylogenetic approaches. We then examined how those patterns were related to environmental factors and human activity in these same regions. We found that the middle-southern HDM supports the highest diversity and endemism for the river valley and subnival ecosystems; however, the distribution patterns of neo- and paleo-endemism in these two ecosystems differ. Regression models indicate that habitat diversity and paleo-climatic fluctuation are important drivers of diversity and endemism for these two ecosystems. Temperature and precipitation, however, showed different influences on the spatial patterns in different ecosystems. Categorical analysis of neo- and paleo-endemism (CANAPE) indicated that most endemism centers are not covered by current nature reserves. Moreover, the intensity of human activity is highest in the southern and southeastern HDM, which coincides with the distribution patterns of diversity, mixed-endemism and high-priority (and threatened) species. These findings suggest that different floras within a single geographic/floristic region respond differently to environmental factors and show different spatial phylogenetic patterns. We, therefore, recommend that future research into the drivers of biodiversity consider the contributions of various ecosystem types within a single geological region. This study also provides a theoretical basis for protecting habitat diversity. Our work confirms that current conservation efforts are insufficient to protect ecosystem diversity in the river valley and subnival ecosystems of the Hengduan Mountains. Therefore, we recommend the establishment of nature reserves in the regions identified in this study; furthermore, we strongly recommend improving current and establishing new management policies for biodiversity conservation in this region.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Neoconopodium paddarensis&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;, a new species of Apiaceae from Jammu and Kashmir, Western Himalaya, India&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Neoconopodium paddarensis, belonging to the family Apiaceae from the Paddar valley, Himalayan Jammu &amp; Kashmir, India is described here as a new species. It shows restricted distributional range and so far, is only known from the Atholi mountain, Paddar valley, within the Himalayan centre of endemism. It is a pinkish white flowered species, and unusual in being a small herb with tripinnate leaves. Other diagnostic features include pubescent stem and leaf base, root hairs, leaflet size and structure, defined carpel and fruit size. The species shows certain similarities with N. capnoides, but differs in both vegetative and reproductive characters.

A New Species of Abronia (Squamata: Anguidae) from a Protected Area in Chiapas, Mexico

We describe a new species of the genus Abronia from the La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve in western Chiapas, Mexico. The new species is known only from the vicinity of the type locality in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas. It is readily distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: lack of protuberant or spine-like supra-auricular scales, lack of protuberant or casque-like posterolateral head scales, 30–35 transverse dorsal scale rows, lateralmost row of ventral scales enlarged relative to adjacent medial row, dorsum brown with 8–10 transverse dark crossbands, and dark lateral bar on the neck extending from the shoulder to near the auricular opening. We tentatively assign the new species to the subgenus Lissabronia pending the availability of a robust, comprehensive molecular phylogeny for the genus. We discuss regional Abronia biogeography and comment on the conservation implications of our discovery for the imperiled highland forests of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, a globally important center of endemism.

Systematics of Neotropical Spiny Mice, Genus Neacomys Thomas, 1900 (Rodentia: Cricetidae), from Southeastern Amazonia, with Descriptions of Three New Species

Species of Neacomys are small cricetid rodents that occur in forested habitats of Central and South America, from eastern Panama to central Bolivia and central/western Brazil. In order to assess species diversity of this poorly known genus, we obtained cytochrome b gene sequences from the most comprehensive taxonomic and geographic sampling analyzed to date. We also conducted morphological analyses on a large series of specimens housed in 15 museums, including types of 10 out of 14 nominal taxa. Our analyses of the genetic data recovered 17 lineages clustered in four distinct clades. Among these lineages, 11 correspond to species currently recognized as valid, and the remaining six are putative new species. In southeastern Amazonia—the geographical scope of this report—four undescribed species were discovered, three of which are named herein: Neacomys marajoara, sp. nov., from the Island of Marajo, Para state; Neacomys vossi, sp. nov., restricted to the Tapajos center of endemism (between the Tapajos and Xingu rivers); and Neacomys xingu, sp. nov., restricted to the Xingu center of endemism (between the Xingu and Araguaia/Tocantins rivers). The new species can be discriminated from other Neacomys species by the morphology of the nasal bones, zygomatic plate, interorbital region, subsquamosal fenestra, paraoccipital process, incisive foramina, auditory bullae, anterocone and anteroloph of the first upper molar, carotid circulation pattern, and karyotype. Our results substantially improve our understanding of the genus Neacomys by providing morphological, morphometric, and novel molecular insights about these poorly known rodents and demonstrate that the diversity of small Amazonian mammals is still poorly known, even in the relatively accessible southeastern part of the biome.

Centers of endemism of freshwater protists deviate from pattern of taxon richness on a continental scale

Here, we analyzed patterns of taxon richness and endemism of freshwater protists in Europe. Even though the significance of physicochemical parameters but also of geographic constraints for protist distribution is documented, it remains unclear where regional areas of high protist diversity are located and whether areas of high taxon richness harbor a high proportion of endemics. Further, patterns may be universal for protists or deviate between taxonomic groups. Based on amplicon sequencing campaigns targeting the SSU and ITS region of the rDNA we address these patterns at two different levels of phylogenetic resolution. Our analyses demonstrate that protists have restricted geographical distribution areas. For many taxonomic groups the regions of high taxon richness deviate from those having a high proportion of putative endemics. In particular, the diversity of high mountain lakes as azonal habitats deviated from surrounding lowlands, i.e. many taxa were found exclusively in high mountain lakes and several putatively endemic taxa occurred in mountain regions like the Alps, the Pyrenees or the Massif Central. Beyond that, taxonomic groups showed a pronounced accumulation of putative endemics in distinct regions, e.g. Dinophyceae along the Baltic Sea coastline, and Chrysophyceae in Scandinavia. Many other groups did not have pronounced areas of increased endemism but geographically restricted taxa were found across Europe.

A synopsis of the endemic plant genera of Borneo

The large, tropical island of Borneo has some of the world's richest habitats for plant life, but faces increasing pressures from anthropogenic activities that threaten its biodiversity. With a good portion of the Bornean flora not critically studied, a comprehensive documentation of the numerous endemic taxa expected for the island is not yet complete. It is not known what the relative significance of endemic genera is compared to Bornean centres of endemism documented or predicted through modelling, and if they can inform current conservation plans. As a first step, we here present a synopsis of the endemic genera of Borneo, based on a comprehensive study of literature, herbarium specimens and distributional data, and an investigation of whether the genera have been included in molecular phylogenetic studies that confirm their monophyly. Such a review is timely since many generic delimitations have been shaped by molecular evidence used to test morphology‐based taxonomy, while botanical collection and revisionary efforts continue. Our findings suggest that 65 vascular plant genera from 25 families may be considered endemic to Borneo. More than two‐thirds (48) of these genera have had at least one species included in molecular phylogenetic studies, but of these, only 39 have been sufficiently sampled to be considered monophyletic with high confidence, or they are monotypic. Slightly over half (38) of the endemic genera are herbaceous. A majority of the genera have fruits or seeds specialised for dispersal by abiotic vectors, or unspecialised seeds. Almost two‐thirds (42) of the endemic genera are monotypic, and some of these could represent relict lineages. We expect the current list of endemic genera to be relatively stable and aligned with recent taxonomic concepts, and that it serves to illuminate an interesting aspect of Borneo's unique assemblage of endemic species.