Higher alpha and gamma, but not beta diversity in tropical than in Mediterranean temporary ponds : a multi‐taxon spatiotemporal approach
Abstract
The latitudinal diversity gradient predicts that tropical regions should have higher alpha, beta, and gamma diversity than temperate areas. However, only a few studies have assessed the temporal variability of the different components of diversity across climatic regions. In this study, we compare, using a spatial and temporal approach, the diversity of multiple taxa inhabiting tropical and Mediterranean temporary ponds. We sampled the biological communities of each set of ponds on three occasions during the same hydrological year. Under a spatial framework, we analyzed, alpha, beta, and gamma diversities. With a temporal approach, we compared the coefficients of variation in alpha diversity for each local community, and temporal beta diversity. Differences between regions and sampling periods were tested using generalized linear mixed models. We found higher gamma and alpha diversity in the tropical ponds, as expected given the latitudinal differences between them. However, phytoplankton and microinvertebrates from the Mediterranean region, matched or even exceeded tropical alpha diversity on some occasions. Spatial beta diversity did not differ between regions, and it showed lower values at the middle or the end of the hydroperiod in bacteria, micro‐ and macroinvertebrates and amphibians. Thus, processes homogenizing and heterogenising pond metacommunities must be balanced in both studied regions. Temporal variation in alpha and beta diversity was similar for ponds in both regions, except for macroinvertebrates and amphibians, suggesting differential effects on community variation observable only in animals with longer life‐spans, at our temporal scale of analysis.
Citation
Gálvez , Á , Castillo‐Escrivà , A , Magurran , A , Alambiaga , I , Bonilla , F , Camacho , A , García‐Roger , E M , Iepure , S , Miralles‐Lorenzo , J , Monrós , J S , Olmo , C , Picazo , A , Rojo , C , Rueda , J , Sasa , M , Segura , M , Armengol , X & Mesquita‐Joanes , F 2023 , ' Higher alpha and gamma, but not beta diversity in tropical than in Mediterranean temporary ponds : a multi‐taxon spatiotemporal approach ' , Limnology and Oceanography . https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12429
Publication
Limnology and Oceanography
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0024-3590Type
Journal article
Description
This study was sustained by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitivity–AEI, and FEDER (EU), through project METACOM-SET (CGL2016-78260-P). Ángel Gálvez was also supported by an FPI fellowship BES-2017-080022 from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.Collections
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