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Aims Location Taxon Methods Results Main Conclusions Long‐term climate stability, contemporary climate and environmental heterogeneity have been linked to bird diversity patterns through their direct impacts on diversification rate, as well as through their indirect effects on plant species richness, which could also directly and indirectly affect bird diversity. This study aimed to quantitatively assess whether these potential drivers could indirectly affect bird species richness through their direct effects on the diversification rate in birds in eastern Asia.Mainland China.Birds.Using the distribution data of 1127 bird species across 320 prefecture cities in China and a phylogenetic tree of these bird species, we analysed the distribution patterns of bird species richness and diversification rate of all birds, passerine birds and non‐passerine birds, respectively. We also investigated their relationships with long‐term climate stability, contemporary climate, elevation range and plant diversity using ordinary least squares regression model and simultaneous autoregressive model. In addition, structural equation model was used to analyse whether these drivers could indirectly affect bird species richness through their direct effects on bird diversification rate.The results showed that bird species richness and diversification rate were highest in southwestern China. Additionally, diversification rate for passerine birds was higher than non‐passerine birds and all birds. Regression analyses revealed that plant species richness was the variable most associated with bird species richness and diversification rate across the three groups. Notably, results from structural equation model indicated that plant species richness, elevation range and glacial–interglacial climate change can indirectly influence bird species richness by directly affecting diversification rates.These findings emphasize the importance of considering diversification rate when understanding the geographic distribution patterns of bird diversity. The direct and indirect effects of plant species richness, elevation range and glacial–interglacial climate change on bird diversity highlight the crucial role of mountain regions with higher plant diversity and stable paleoclimate in forming and maintaining biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black‐and‐white snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) rely on behavioral and dietary flexibility to survive in temperate latitudes at high‐elevation habitats characterized by climate and resource seasonality. However, little is known about how elevation influences their behavioral and dietary flexibility at monthly or seasonal scales. We studied an isolated R. bieti population at Mt. Lasha in the Yunling Provincial Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China, between May 2008 and August 2016 to assess the impacts of elevation on feeding behavior and diet. Across our sample, R. bieti occupied elevations between 3031 and 3637 m above mean sea level (amsl), with a 315.1 m amsl range across months and a 247.3 m amsl range across seasons. Contrary to expectations, individuals spent less time feeding when ranging across higher elevations. Lichen consumption correlated with elevation use across months and seasons, with individuals spending more time feeding on this important resource at higher elevations. Leaf consumption only correlated with elevation use during the spring. Our results suggest that R. bieti do not maximize their food intake at higher elevations and that monthly and seasonal changes in lichen and leaf consumption largely explain variation in elevation use. These findings shed light on the responses of R. bieti to environmental change and offer insight into strategies for conserving their habitats in the face of anthropogenic disturbance. Research Highlights: Black‐and‐white snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) spend less time feeding in months and seasons when occupying higher‐elevation habitats.Leaves only comprise a higher percentage of the R. bieti diet when occupying higher‐elevation habitats in the spring.Lichen comprise a higher percentage of the R. bieti diet in months and seasons when occupying higher‐elevation habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gonga Mountains stretch latitudinally and locate at the eastern edge of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau and the center of Hengduan Mountain Range, a global biodiversity hotspot. In this study, 20 amphibian species from seven families and twelve genera were identified in the Gongga Mountains through field investigation and museum specimen retrieval. For the horizontal dimension, the amphibian species composition in the western slope was significantly different from that in the eastern slope. For the vertical dimension, the amphibian species richness displayed a unimodal pattern, peaking at mid elevation, 3300–3700 vs. 1700–1900 m a.s.l. in the western and eastern slopes, respectively. The maximum species diversity occurred in different types of vegetation, i.e., alpine coniferous forests on the western slope, and evergreen broad-leaf forests and coniferous broad-leaf forests on the eastern slope. This discovery highlights the complex biodiversity in the Hengduan, Mountains and underscores the need for targeted management and protection. Amphibians serve as reliable indicators of ecosystem health and are the most threatened group of vertebrates. Studies on their spatial distribution pattern and threats are crucial to formulate conservation strategies. Gongga Mountains, with a peak at 7509 m a.s.l. and running latitudinally, are in the center of the Hengduan Mountains Range and at the eastern steep edge of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau, providing heterogeneous habitats and varied niches for amphibians. In this study, we combined 83 days of field work with information from 3894 museum specimens that were collected over the past 80 years, and identified twenty amphibian species belonging to seven families and twelve genera by morphology. Of these species, seven were listed in the threatened categories of the Red List of China's Biodiversity and thirteen were endemic to China. Ten species were found on the plateau side (western slope) and eleven species were found on the other side close to the Sichuan Basin (eastern slope). Only one species was found on both sides, indicating different community structures horizontally. The species richness was unimodal vertically and peaking at mid elevation on both sides, with the maximum number (ten vs. nine) of species occurring at 3300–3700 vs. 1700–1900 m a.s.l. and in different types of vegetation. The elevation span and body length of species distributed on both slopes did not show significant differences. These findings help to understand the horizontal and vertical distribution pattern of amphibian diversity, laying a foundation for future biogeographical and conservation research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alien species are colonizing mountain ecosystems and increasing their elevation ranges in response to ongoing climate change and anthropogenic disturbances, posing increasing threats to native species. However, how quickly alien species spread upward and what drives their invasion remains insufficiently understood. Here, using 26,952 occurrence records of 58 alien plant species collected over two centuries in the Czech Republic, we explored the elevation range and invasion speed of each alien species and the underlying factors driving these variables. We collected species traits relevant for invasion (e.g., clonality, flowering time, life span, invasion status, height, mycorrhizal type, native range, naturalized range, monoploid genome size, and Ellenberg-type indicator values for light, temperature, and nitrogen), human-associated factors (e.g., introduction pathways and the sum of economic use types), and minimum residence time. We explored the relationships between these factors and species' elevation range and invasion speed using phylogenetic regressions. Our results showed that 58 alien species have been expanding upward along mountain elevations in the Czech Republic over the past two centuries. A stronger effect of species' traits than human-associated factors has been revealed, e.g., clonality was a key trait supporting the invasion of alien species into the mountains, while human-associated factors showed no effect. Our findings highlight that the characteristics associated with rapid reproduction and spread are crucial for alien species' invasion into montane regions. Identifying key drivers of this process is important for predicting the spatiotemporal dynamics of alien species in high-altitude ecosystems and thus employing apposite measures to reduce the threat to native plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rainforests on high tropical mountains are globally important species diversity hotspots. We studied amphibians along an extensive rainforest elevation gradient on Mt. Wilhelm (4509 m) in Papua New Guinea. We established eight sites at 500 m elevation increments between 200 and 3700 m a.s.l. and relate their community composition to the known species pool of New Guinea island. We recorded 3390 frogs from 55 species, which is three times more species than at any local community along the elevation gradient. Species diversity peaked at 1700 m a.s.l. for Mt. Wilhelm communities, and at 500–1100 m a.s.l. in the broader New Guinea fauna, probably reflecting increasing speciation and decreasing dispersal rates with increasing elevation. The beta diversity between frog communities was high and increased with increasing elevation. The change in frog community composition across 500 m elevation corresponded to the change over 200 km distance within lowland forests. A majority of frog species were distributed over narrow <500 m elevational ranges, at Mt Wilhelm and the New Guinea fauna more broadly. We did not detect Rapoport's pattern of wider elevation range for species at higher elevations than for lowland species, for Mt. Wilhelm communities or the New Guinea fauna. The high beta diversity patterns along elevation gradients generated by rapid species turnover with narrow elevation ranges make frog communities vulnerable to change in environment, including climate change. Abstract in Melanesian Pidgin is available with online material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibians and reptiles are important ecological indicators of ecosystem status and play significant ecological roles. However, their populations are declining globally due to factors such as climate and land-use change. To effectively manage these species, it is crucial to study their distribution in protected areas. In this study, we provide new information on the distribution and ecology of amphibians and reptiles in the "Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni" (CVDA) National Park in southern Italy. We used a comprehensive dataset consisting of 2465 records obtained from fieldwork, citizen science, and literature to evaluate species' rarity, habitat preferences and community assemblage. We investigated whether differences in species richness across different habitat types and elevations resulted from species selection of different environmental conditions. We quantified species probability of observation in different habitat types and estimated the significance of species-habitat associations. Species rarity was assessed by considering geographic range, population abundance, and habitat breadth. Collected data substantially improved knowledge of the distribution of numerous species compared to published data. Our findings are generally consistent with the species' ecological information available in Italy, but we also found some species' peculiar ecological aspects that are littleknown. The CVDA National Park emerges as an effective protected area that ensures good conservation status of the herpetofauna, also in the case of species showing population and range declines at the national scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibians serve as reliable indicators of ecosystem health and are the most threatened group of vertebrates. Studies on their spatial distribution pattern and threats are crucial to formulate conservation strategies. Gongga Mountains, with a peak at 7509 m a.s.l. and running latitudinally, are in the center of the Hengduan Mountains Range and at the eastern steep edge of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau, providing heterogeneous habitats and varied niches for amphibians. In this study, we combined 83 days of field work with information from 3894 museum specimens that were collected over the past 80 years, and identified twenty amphibian species belonging to seven families and twelve genera by morphology. Of these species, seven were listed in the threatened categories of the Red List of China’s Biodiversity and thirteen were endemic to China. Ten species were found on the plateau side (western slope) and eleven species were found on the other side close to the Sichuan Basin (eastern slope). Only one species was found on both sides, indicating different community structures horizontally. The species richness was unimodal vertically and peaking at mid elevation on both sides, with the maximum number (ten vs. nine) of species occurring at 3300–3700 vs. 1700–1900 m a.s.l. and in different types of vegetation. The elevation span and body length of species distributed on both slopes did not show significant differences. These findings help to understand the horizontal and vertical distribution pattern of amphibian diversity, laying a foundation for future biogeographical and conservation research in this area.

Amphibians and reptiles are important ecological indicators of ecosystem status and play significant ecological roles. However, their populations are declining globally due to factors such as climate and land-use change. To effectively manage these species, it is crucial to study their distribution in protected areas. In this study, we provide new information on the distribution and ecology of amphibians and reptiles in the “Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni” (CVDA) National Park in southern Italy. We used a comprehensive dataset consisting of 2465 records obtained from fieldwork, citizen science, and literature to evaluate species’ rarity, habitat preferences and community assemblage. We investigated whether differences in species richness across different habitat types and elevations resulted from species selection of different environmental conditions. We quantified species probability of observation in different habitat types and estimated the significance of species-habitat associations. Species rarity was assessed by considering geographic range, population abundance, and habitat breadth. Collected data substantially improved knowledge of the distribution of numerous species compared to published data. Our findings are generally consistent with the species’ ecological information available in Italy, but we also found some species’ peculiar ecological aspects that are little-known. The CVDA National Park emerges as an effective protected area that ensures good conservation status of the herpetofauna, also in the case of species showing population and range declines at the national scale.

The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is a resident species in Nepal, and breeds in the lower mountains in the southern plains of Nepal. Nest-site availability is an important factor that determines the population growth of vultures; however, such information is lacking in South Asia. We here describe the characteristics and spatial distribution patterns of Egyptian Vultures' nest sites in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in central-west Nepal, and the factors that influence their nest-site selection. From 2012 through 2018, we surveyed all the known and potential nesting cliffs of the Egyptian Vulture located in the Pokhara Valley and its periphery during the nest building and nestling-rearing periods. In addition, we used generalized linear models to analyze the influence of landscape configuration, topography, and human disturbance factors on nest-site selection. We found a total of 21 occupied nests in a sampled area of 346 km2. Nests were not uniformly distributed, and the nearest neighbor distance between nests averaged 8.8 ± 6.1 km. Nests were located at an elevation of 523–1644 masl on cliffs with a mean height of 20.1 ± 12.2 m; 76% were in caves and 24% were on open ledges. Our models suggested that cliff height, anthropogenic trophic resources, and altitudinal variation around the cliff were the main determinants of the nesting cliff selection. Selection of small cliffs closer to food sources could minimize energy expenditure during food delivery and interspecific competition for nesting sites. The high altitudinal variation around the nest sites suggest that Egyptian Vultures preferred heterogeneous habitat, which might also be relatively difficult for humans to access and use easily. Neophron percnopterus es una especie residente en Nepal, que se reproduce en las montañas más bajas de las llanuras del sur de Nepal. La disponibilidad de sitios de nidificación es un factor importante que determina el crecimiento de la población de buitres; sin embargo, dicha información falta en el sur de Asia. Aquí describimos las características y los patrones de distribución espacial de los sitios de nidificación de N. percnopterus en las estribaciones de las montañas del Himalaya en el centro-oeste de Nepal, y los factores que influyen en la selección de sus sitios de nidificación. Desde 2012 hasta 2018 inspeccionamos todos los roquedos de cría conocidos y potenciales de N. percnopterus ubicados en el valle de Pokhara y áreas periféricas durante los períodos de construcción de nidos y cría de polluelos. Además, usamos modelos lineales generalizados para analizar la influencia de la configuración del paisaje, la topografía y los factores relacionados con los disturbios humanos en la selección del lugar de cría. Encontramos un total de 21 nidos ocupados en un área muestreada de 346 km2. Los nidos no se distribuyeron uniformemente y la distancia entre nidos vecinos más cercanos promedió 8.8 ± 6.1 km. Los nidos se ubicaron en roquedos a una altitud de 523–1644 msnm y con una altura media de 20.1 ± 12.2 m; 76% estuvo en cuevas y 24% en repisas abiertas. Nuestros modelos sugieren que la altura del roquedo, los recursos tróficos antropogénicos y la variación altitudinal alrededor del roquedo fueron los principales determinantes de la selección del roquedo de cría. La selección de pequeños roquedos, más cercanos a las fuentes de alimentos, podría minimizar tanto el gasto de energía durante la entrega de alimentos como la competencia interespecífica por los sitios de cría. La gran variación altitudinal alrededor de los lugares de cría sugiere que N. percnopterus prefirió un hábitat heterogéneo, que también podría ser relativamente difícil de acceder y de fácil utilización por parte de los seres humanos. [Traducción del equipo editorial] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Araeopidius monachus (LeConte, 1874) is the only species in the subfamily Araeopidiinae within the beetle family Ptilodactylidae. Its geographic distribution is mainly along the western coast of North America, where adults are uncommon. A diagnosis is provided along with detailed collection records highlighting its seasonality, elevational range, plant associations, and collection methods. Collection records from larvae and adults indicate a three-year life cycle. Digestive tract dissections show that the larvae consume woody material while the adults probably do not feed. Additionally, we briefly discuss the problems and prospects for research of this enigmatic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the main factors driving species richness and endemism patterns of Chinese wild Rhododendron as well as to assess the hotspots of species diversity and their conservation status. We initially mapped the species richness and endemism (expressed by weighted endemism) patterns of 546 wild Rhododendron in China in 100 × 100 km grids using 13,969 occurrence records. Subsequently, the effects of environmental variables on species richness and endemism patterns were assessed using regression models, and hotspots were identified based on the areas overlapping in 10% of the grids with the highest species richness and endemism. Finally, the conservation status of the hotspots was evaluated via gap analysis. The key environmental variables affecting species richness and endemism patterns differed. Species richness patterns were significantly influenced by moisture index, whereas endemism patterns were significantly influenced by elevation range. Moreover, the following five species diversity hotspots were identified: southern Xizang, Hengduan Mountains, south-central Sichuan, eastern Yungui Plateau, and central Gansu; however, these hotspots are not fully covered by the existing nature reserves. Our results indicate that the establishment of nature reserves should be actively promoted to effectively protect wild Rhododendron in hotspots with a conservation gap.

Climate warming is shifting the distributions of mountain plant species to higher elevations. Cold‐adapted plant species are under increasing pressure from novel competitors that are encroaching from lower elevations. Plant capacity to adjust to these pressures may be measurable as variation in trait values within a species. In particular, the strength and patterns of intraspecific trait variation along abiotic and biotic gradients can inform us whether and how species can adjust their anatomy and morphology to persist in a changing environment.Here, we tested whether species specialized to high elevations or with narrow elevational ranges show more conservative (i.e. less variable) trait responses across their elevational distribution, or in response to neighbours, than species from lower elevations or with wider elevational ranges. We did so by studying intraspecific trait variation of 66 species along 40 elevational gradients in four countries in both hemispheres. As an indication of potential neighbour interactions that could drive trait variation, we also analysed plant species' height ratio, its height relative to its nearest neighbour.Variation in alpine plant trait values over elevation differed depending on a species' median elevation and the breadth of its elevational range, with species with lower median elevations and larger elevational range sizes showing greater trait variation, i.e. a steeper slope in trait values, over their elevational distributions. These effects were evidenced by significant interactions between species' elevation and their elevational preference or range for several traits: vegetative height, generative height, specific leaf area and patch area. The height ratio of focal alpine species and their neighbours decreased in the lower part of their distribution because neighbours became relatively taller at lower elevations. In contrast, species with lower elevational optima maintained a similar height ratio with neighbours throughout their range.Synthesis. We provide evidence that species from lower elevations and those with larger range sizes show greater intraspecific trait variation, which may indicate a greater ability to respond to environmental changes. Also, larger trait variation of species from lower elevations may indicate stronger competitive ability of upslope shifting species, posing one further threat to species from higher ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicted warmer temperatures and more frequent extreme climatic events in the southern Andes may affect the dynamics of the Patagonian forests. These environmental changes may differentially alter the probability of Nothofagus pumilio establishment across its altitudinal range of distribution. We monitored fruit fall, seedling emergence and survival at altitudinal distribution range of N. pumilio forests in Santa Cruz (49°22′ S—72°56′ W), Argentina. Fruit fall, seedling emergence and survival were tested in relation to drought, based on the SPEI (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index), interacting with elevation. Fruit fall was consistently higher at low elevation and the abundance of fruits was not affected by drought intensity. Density of new-born seedlings was ~ 9 to 24 times lower at low- than at high-elevation plots in our first observations (2014 and 2016), characterized by warm-dry climatic conditions in spring-early summers. In contrast, seedling abundance was ~ 1.5 times larger at low elevations during relatively cold-wet growing seasons. Survival probability was explained by the interaction between SPEI and elevation. At low elevation and in dry periods, survival probability was lower (CI 54–72%) than in wet periods (CI 68–84%) but at high elevation similar survival was registered even with positive or negative SPEI values. Our results show interacting effects of elevation and drought on tree establishment at the elevation limits, with positive and negative drought effects at high and low elevations, respectively. Predicted increase of extreme drought events during the XXI century could be detrimental for N. pumilio establishment at dry, low-elevation forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Araeopidius monachus (LeConte, 1874) is the only species in the subfamily Araeopidiinae within the beetle family Ptilodactylidae. Its geographic distribution is mainly along the western coast of North America, where adults are uncommon. A diagnosis is provided along with detailed collection records highlighting its seasonality, elevational range, plant associations, and collection methods. Collection records from larvae and adults indicate a three-year life cycle. Digestive tract dissections show that the larvae consume woody material while the adults probably do not feed. Additionally, we briefly discuss the problems and prospects for research of this enigmatic species.

Species biodiversity organises along elevational trends and is generally expected to decrease with increasing elevation. This pattern is regulated by numerous factors, although principally overridden by temperature in ectotherms such as amphibians. Here, we collated elevation data ( n = 55,182) collected between 1909 and 2020. We then determined elevation distribution patterns and species communities for all amphibians in the Republic of Korea. Species were found to range from sea level up to 1,393 m a.s.l. The average elevational distribution was significantly different between species but also between anura and caudata. On average, anura were found at lower elevations with a peak in species richness and abundance matching with the lowlands. In opposition, the peak in species richness and abundance for caudata matched with low hilly landscapes. The altitudinal distributions of species were strongly skewed, with all 23 species found within the 0-199 m range, and steadily decreasing with only five species within the last elevational range (1,200-1,399 m). Finally, only a few species were found below 30 m, reflecting a likely risk of salinisation in this environment. Our results help understand the altitudinal distribution of amphibians in the Republic of Korea.