Spatial and phylogenetic distribution of the genera of the Heliantheae tribe (Asteraceae) in Mexico

Abstract

Background: Biodiversity is described considering its alpha (local taxon richness), beta (difference of taxa between localities), or gamma (regional richness) components. We assessed the alpha component using different facets, taxonomic and phylogenetic. In Mexico, more than half of the genera of the Heliantheae tribe are included in a phylogeny, and a taxonomically curated geographic database is available, facilitating their study under these concepts. Question: Where is the greatest alpha diversity of Heliantheae genera concentrated in Mexico from a taxonomic and phylogenetic perspective? Data description: Geographic data of 75 genera of Heliantheae in Mexico (gamma diversity) and phylogeny including 45 Mexican genera. Study site: Mexico, divided into a grid of 253 cells 1° of latitude and longitude. Methods: We analyzed 22,166 records for Heliantheae to determine alpha taxonomic richness and weighted endemism. Phylogenetic diversity and endemism were evaluated using 13,251 records from 45 genera included in the molecular data phylogeny obtained with U.PhyloMaker. We analyzed and performed maps using Biodiverse and QGIS programs. Results: Twenty cells with high alpha diversity values were identified, 11 placed in the Mexican mountainous regions and nine in the arid or semiarid areas. A high correlation exists between alpha taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. Conclusions: Including missing taxa in phylogeny could change the biogeographic patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic endemism. All indices are necessary to select priority areas for the conservation of the tribe and associated biodiversity.

Keywords

• alpha diversity
• arid zones
• endemism
• mountains
• Neotropics