Exploring patterns of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic β-diversity variation of Neotropical small mammals in a highly fragmented landscape

Abstract

Diversity can be partitioned in several components and dimensions that are affected in different ways by habitat loss and fragmentation. However, these partitions and dimensions are rarely investigated on human-modified landscapes. In this study, we investigated different partitions (Hill numbers) and dimensions (taxonomic [TβD], functional [FβD] and phylogenetic [PβD]) of small mammal β-diversity in a fragmented landscape of central Brazil using a multi-scale approach. TβD was estimated considering rare, common and abundant species. Tolerance to disturbed habitat, assessed via the traits “habitat use”, “tail length” and “use of vertical strata”, and trophic guild, defined by the “diet”, were used to estimate FβD. PβD was based on phylogenetic relatedness of the sampled species. The association between different partitions and dimensions of β-diversity with habitat and landscape attributes were investigated using Mantel tests. We found a significant positive effect of geographical distance on all partitions and dimensions of β-diversity. NDVI was the second most important variable affecting abundance based TβD, and all phylogenetic and functional β-diversity dimensions. Habitat characteristics, such as fallen logs and canopy cover were positively associated with all β-diversity dimensions. Our findings support the hypothesis that even in a highly modified landscape, small mammal’s β-diversity is determined by different environmental factors and spatial disposition of forest patches. However, the relatively higher importance of space appears to be related to dispersal limitation of this group.