Document of bibliographic reference 302925

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Mapping knowledge gaps in marine diversity reveals a latitudinal gradient of missing species richness

Abstract

A reliable description of any spatial pattern in species richness requires accurate knowledge about species geographical distribution. However, sampling bias may generate artefactual absences within species range and compromise our capacity to describe biodiversity patterns. Here, we analysed the spatial distribution of 35,000 marine species (varying from copepods to sharks) to identify missing occurrences (gaps) across their latitudinal range. We find a latitudinal gradient of species absence peaking near the equator, a pattern observed in both shallow and deep waters. The tropical gap in species distribution seems a consequence of reduced sampling effort at low latitudes. Overall, our results suggest that spatial gaps in species distribution are the main cause of the bimodal pattern of marine diversity. Therefore, only increasing sampling effort at low latitudes will reveal if the absence of species in the tropics, and the consequent dip in species richness, are artefacts of sampling bias or a natural phenomenon.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000449627800008

Bibliographic citation

Menegotto, A.; Rangel, T.F. (2018). Mapping knowledge gaps in marine diversity reveals a latitudinal gradient of missing species richness. Nature Comm. 9(1): 6 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-07217-7

Is peer reviewed

true

Access rights

open access

Is accessible for free

true