Marine fish diversity in Tropical America associated with both past and present environmental conditions
METADATA ONLY
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2020-12
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
METADATA ONLY
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Aim Tropical America, including the Tropical Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean Sea, presents a high level of marine biodiversity, but its fish fauna has been poorly documented. In early studies marine species distributions were interpreted based on tectonic activity during the late Cenozoic, while more recent studies have highlighted a link with the present-day environment. Here, we described the assemblage richness and composition of fishes in Tropical America and related these properties to both the past evolution of marine environmental conditions and current environmental gradients. Location Tropical America. Taxon Demersal and benthic fishes. Methods We mapped the distribution of 2,216 demersal and benthic fish species of Tropical America using existing occurrence data. We computed three assemblage indicators: species richness, composition and nestedness, which we explained by environmental gradients. We linked compositional distance to environmental differences using distance-based redundancy analysis, species richness and nestedness using a generalized linear model. We ran simulations of a mechanistic model in which three processes determine the spatial dynamics of biodiversity: speciation, dispersal and extinction. This model yielded estimates for species assemblage properties following palaeogeographic changes in the region that shaped the current coastal habitat configuration. Results Fish species richness in Tropical America peaks around the Florida Peninsula, Bahamas and Greater Antilles. Fish composition varies along a depth gradient, between the Tropical Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean Sea, and forms distinct domains within the Caribbean region. The nestedness component of beta-diversity is lower in shallower assemblages, especially those along the outer section of the Greater Caribbean. Species richness and nestedness are partly explained by current environmental conditions, but model simulations illustrate how this may be further explained by the tectonic history of the region. Main conclusions Species richness peaks in the Greater Caribbean, coinciding with generally favourable current environmental conditions for demersal and benthic fishes. The high species richness and the low nestedness of fish assemblages in the Cuba region are compatible with the results of palaeo-environmental changes that have occurred in that area. Effects of the plate tectonic history might still be present in the organization of fish fauna in this region.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
47 (12)
Pages / Article No.
2597 - 2610
Publisher
Wiley
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
environment; Greater Caribbean; marine fish diversity; tectonics
Organisational unit
09553 - Pellissier, Loïc / Pellissier, Loïc
02722 - Institut für Terrestrische Oekosysteme / Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems
Notes
Funding
164294 - Relative importance of ecological and evolutionary determinants of coral reef fish biodiversity (SNF)