Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities
South Africa is recognised for its high reptile diversity and endemism, specifically among lizards. Phylogenetic diversity, endemism, and richness can have clear implications or raise important questions in a range of fields, and most urgently in conservation. Among squamate reptiles, these indices...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/2/306 |
| _version_ | 1827757806472658944 |
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| author | Gary K. Nicolau Shelley Edwards |
| author_facet | Gary K. Nicolau Shelley Edwards |
| author_sort | Gary K. Nicolau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | South Africa is recognised for its high reptile diversity and endemism, specifically among lizards. Phylogenetic diversity, endemism, and richness can have clear implications or raise important questions in a range of fields, and most urgently in conservation. Among squamate reptiles, these indices are very commonly associated with high temperatures and topographic heterogeneity. Indeed, mountainous biogeography has been a critical driver in the radiation of the family Gekkonidae within the subregion. Here, we assess the species richness, diversity, and endemism of Gekkonidae species inhabiting South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, accounting for phylogenetic relationships. We also employ the CANAPE method to identify regions that have neo- and/or paleoendemics. Southern African gekkonids appear to be most diverse and show high levels of endemism in three regions of Southern Africa: the northwestern Richtersveld, the escarpment running west to southeast, and the northeastern escarpment in the Limpopo province. Implications for conservation priorities are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:55:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-167f4596e47e44768e57882cac0b7b1e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:55:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-167f4596e47e44768e57882cac0b7b1e2023-11-16T20:06:00ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182023-02-0115230610.3390/d15020306Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation PrioritiesGary K. Nicolau0Shelley Edwards1Zoology & Entomology Molecular Laboratory (ZEML), Department of Zoology & Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South AfricaZoology & Entomology Molecular Laboratory (ZEML), Department of Zoology & Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6139, South AfricaSouth Africa is recognised for its high reptile diversity and endemism, specifically among lizards. Phylogenetic diversity, endemism, and richness can have clear implications or raise important questions in a range of fields, and most urgently in conservation. Among squamate reptiles, these indices are very commonly associated with high temperatures and topographic heterogeneity. Indeed, mountainous biogeography has been a critical driver in the radiation of the family Gekkonidae within the subregion. Here, we assess the species richness, diversity, and endemism of Gekkonidae species inhabiting South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, accounting for phylogenetic relationships. We also employ the CANAPE method to identify regions that have neo- and/or paleoendemics. Southern African gekkonids appear to be most diverse and show high levels of endemism in three regions of Southern Africa: the northwestern Richtersveld, the escarpment running west to southeast, and the northeastern escarpment in the Limpopo province. Implications for conservation priorities are discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/2/306CANAPEescarpmentphylogenetic diversityphylogenetic endemism |
| spellingShingle | Gary K. Nicolau Shelley Edwards Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities Diversity CANAPE escarpment phylogenetic diversity phylogenetic endemism |
| title | Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities |
| title_full | Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities |
| title_fullStr | Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities |
| title_short | Diversity and Endemism of Southern African Gekkonids Linked with the Escarpment Has Implications for Conservation Priorities |
| title_sort | diversity and endemism of southern african gekkonids linked with the escarpment has implications for conservation priorities |
| topic | CANAPE escarpment phylogenetic diversity phylogenetic endemism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/2/306 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT garyknicolau diversityandendemismofsouthernafricangekkonidslinkedwiththeescarpmenthasimplicationsforconservationpriorities AT shelleyedwards diversityandendemismofsouthernafricangekkonidslinkedwiththeescarpmenthasimplicationsforconservationpriorities |