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© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Understanding the distribution of biodiversity across the Earth is one of the most challenging questions in biology. Much research has been directed at explaining the species latitudinal pattern showing that communities are richer in tropical areas; however, despite decades of research, a general consensus has not yet emerged. In addition, global biodiversity patterns are being rapidly altered by human activities. Here, we aim to describe large-scale patterns of species richness and diversity in terrestrial vertebrate scavenger (carrion-consuming) assemblages, which provide key ecosystem functions and services. We used a worldwide dataset comprising 43 sites, where vertebrate scavenger assemblages were identified using 2,485 carcasses monitored between 1991 and 2018. First, we evaluated how scavenger richness (number of species) and diversity (Shannon diversity index) varied among seasons (cold vs. warm, wet vs. dry). Then, we studied the potential effects of human impact and a set of macroecological variables related to climatic conditions on the scavenger assemblages. Vertebrate scavenger richness ranged from species-poor to species rich assemblages (4–30 species). Both scavenger richness and diversity also showed some seasonal variation. However, in general, climatic variables did not drive latitudinal patterns, as scavenger richness and diversity were not affected by temperature or rainfall. Rainfall seasonality slightly increased the number of species in the community, but its effect was weak. Instead, the human impact index included in our study was the main predictor of scavenger richness. Scavenger assemblages in highly human-impacted areas sustained the smallest number of scavenger species, suggesting human activity may be overriding other macroecological processes in shaping scavenger communities. Our results highlight the effect of human impact at a global scale. As species-rich assemblages tend to be more functional, we warn about possible reductions in ecosystem functions and the services provided by scavengers in human-dominated landscapes in the Anthropocene.

© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Understanding the distribution of biodiversity across the Earth is one of the most challenging questions in biology. Much research has been directed at explaining the species latitudinal pattern showing that communities are richer in tropical areas; however, despite decades of research, a general consensus has not yet emerged. In addition, global biodiversity patterns are being rapidly altered by human activities. Here, we aim to describe large-scale patterns of species richness and diversity in terrestrial vertebrate scavenger (carrion-consuming) assemblages, which provide key ecosystem functions and services. We used a worldwide dataset comprising 43 sites, where vertebrate scavenger assemblages were identified using 2,485 carcasses monitored between 1991 and 2018. First, we evaluated how scavenger richness (number of species) and diversity (Shannon diversity index) varied among seasons (cold vs. warm, wet vs. dry). Then, we studied the potential effects of human impact and a set of macroecological variables related to climatic conditions on the scavenger assemblages. Vertebrate scavenger richness ranged from species-poor to species rich assemblages (4–30 species). Both scavenger richness and diversity also showed some seasonal variation. However, in general, climatic variables did not drive latitudinal patterns, as scavenger richness and diversity were not affected by temperature or rainfall. Rainfall seasonality slightly increased the number of species in the community, but its effect was weak. Instead, the human impact index included in our study was the main predictor of scavenger richness. Scavenger assemblages in highly human-impacted areas sustained the smallest number of scavenger species, suggesting human activity may be overriding other macroecological processes in shaping scavenger communities. Our results highlight the effect of human impact at a global scale. As species-rich assemblages tend to be more functional, we warn about possible reductions in ecosystem functions and the services provided by scavengers in human-dominated landscapes in the Anthropocene.

289 Background: Amplification of the FGFR1 gene occurs in ≈ 10% of BC, correlates with FGFR1 overexpression, and is mainly observed in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)- BCs. Dovitinib (TKI258) is a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that demonstrated potent antitumor activities in FGFR1-amplified tumor cell lines. This phase 2 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of dovitinib in metastatic HER2- BC. Methods: Patients were stratified into 4 groups based on FGFR1 and hormone receptor (HR) tumor subtype: 1) FGFR1+, HR+; 2) FGFR1+, HR-; 3) FGFR1-, HR+; 4) FGFR1-, HR-. Screening for FGFR1 status was performed by fluorescence/chromogenic in situ hybridization (cutoff ≥ 6 gene copies). Dovitinib (500 mg) was administered once daily on a 5-day-on/ 2-day-off schedule. The primary endpoint was RECIST best overall response rate in patients with measurable disease per external radiology review. Results: Data from 77 of 81 treated patients were available as of January 2011 (n=21, n=34, n=22 in groups 1, 3, 4, respectively). Median number of prior therapies in the metastatic setting was 2 chemotherapy lines (all patients) and 2 endocrine therapy lines (HR+ patients). Liver metastases were present in 58% of patients (81%, 50%, 50% in groups 1, 3, 4, respectively). Most common adverse events included vomiting (75%; grade 3 [g3]: 6%), diarrhea (72%; g3: 6%), nausea (62%; g3: 5%), and asthenia (61%; g3: 17%). Median dovitinib exposure was 1.7 (range, 0-8.2) months, including 8 patients with > 4 months of therapy. Of patients with measurable disease at baseline, in group 1, 13% had unconfirmed partial responses and 44% had stable disease ≥ 4 months (SD4). In groups 3 and 4, 29% and 11% had SD4. Conclusions: This is the first trial reporting efficacy of an FGFR1 inhibitor in patients with FGFR1-amplified BC. Dovitinib showed antitumor activity in patients with HR+, FGFR1- amplified BC and disease stabilization in other subgroups. FGFR1 is likely a relevant target in BC, and FGFR1 amplification may define a segment of dovitinib-sensitive disease. Further evaluation of dovitinib in patients with HR+ BC is planned.