Concordant Biogeographic Patterns among Multiple Taxonomic Groups in the Mexican Freshwater Biota

Abstract

In this paper we analyse the degree of concordance in species richness and taxonomic distinctness (diversity) patterns among different freshwater taxonomic groups in order to test three long held patterns described in Mexican freshwater biogeography: 1. The aquatic biota of Mexico includes two distinct faunas, a rich Neotropical component in the south and a south-eastern region and a less rich Nearctic component towards central and northern latitudes of the country. 2. A hotspot of species richness and diversity has been recorded in the Usumacinta, including the Yucatan Peninsula. 3. The presence of two distinct biotas in Mexico, an eastern one distributed along the Gulf of Mexico slope, and a western one associated to the Pacific versant. We use species richness and taxonomic distinctness to explore patterns of diversity and how these patterns change between zoogeographical regions. This paper points out a clear separation between Neotropical and Nearctic drainage basins but also between eastern (Gulf of Mexico) and western (Pacific) drainage basins. Present data gives additional empirical support from freshwater biota for three long held beliefs regarding distributional patterns of the Mexican biota. The neotropical basins of Mexico are generally host to a richest and more diversified fauna, that includes more families, genera and species, compared to the less rich and less diverse fauna in the nearctic basins.

Multigene phylogeny and taxonomic revision of American shrimps of the genus Cryphiops Dana, 1852 (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) implies a proposal for reversal of precedence with Macrobrachium Spence Bate, 1868

“…– Palacios-Vargas et al 2014–2015 : 22. – Quiroz-Martínez et al 2014 : table S1 (list). – Alvarez and Villalobos 2016 : 250, table 8.1 (list).…”

Species or population? Systematic status of Vieja coatlicue (Teleostei: Cichlidae)

“…The Isthmus of Tehuantepec represents the narrowest geographic point between the Pacific and Atlantic basins in the northern portion of Middle America and has been demonstrated to be an important region for organismal dispersal across Mexico, permitting taxa to expand between rivers along both slopes (Quiroz-Martínez et al, 2014). This hypothesis is additionally supported by occurrence of a population of V. zonata in the Atlantic Río Coatzacoalcos.…”

Risk assessment for the Mexican freshwater crayfish: the roles of diversity, endemism and conservation status

“…Using drainage basins as the units for analysis Quiroz‐Martínez et al . () found concordant distribution patterns of freshwater taxa in Mexico including helminth parasites of freshwater fishes, fishes (Poecilidae) and crustaceans (Palaemonidae and Pseudothelphusidae) which defined two different faunas, one for the Pacific slope and one for the Gulf of Mexico slope. Although the groups analysed by Quiroz‐Martínez et al .…”

“…Although the groups analysed by Quiroz‐Martínez et al . () are mainly Neotropical, in contrast to cambarid crayfish which have a Neartic origin, the Gulf of Mexico slope created by the Sierra Madre Oriental represents an important corridor for the diversification of freshwater organisms.…”