Multivariate similarity clustering analysis: a new method regarding biogeography and its application in global insects

Abstract

A new method, multivariate similarity clustering analysis (MSCA) method, was established for biogeographical distribution analyzing. General similarity formula (GSF), the core of MSCA method, can be used to calculate the similarity coefficients between 2 and among any ≥ 3 geographical units. Taking the global insects as example, we introduced the steps to use of GSF and consequent clustering processes of this method in details. Firstly, geographical distributions of certain taxa (e.g. Insecta) were categorized into basic geographical units (BGUs); Secondly, similarity coefficients between 2 and among n BGUs were calculated using GSF. Thirdly, hierarchical clustering was conducted according to values of similarity coefficients (from high to low); then a clustering diagram was generated. Finally, a framework of biogeographical division map was established for the target taxa (e.g. Insecta). We concluded that the MSCA method was efficiently applied in analyzing the biogeographical distribution of given biological taxa; the geographical regions regarding global insects were categorized into 7 Realms with 20 sub-Realms based on the results of MSCA method.

Clustering Analysis of Distributional Patterns of Global Terrestrial Mammal

“…The clustering results are highly consistent with the analysis of chordates, angiosperms and insects in the world [44,46,48,50,52,53], which not only shows the homogeneity of the impact of environmental conditions on the distribution of various organisms, but also shows that it is convincing to modify and improve Wallace's scheme in this way.…”

“…Finally, the clustering diagram is arranged according to the similarity coefficient. This method has been verified and applied in different biological groups and different geographical regions [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53].…”

El potencial del turismo cinegético en los cotos adehesados de Extremadura

“…, 2021). This technique has been used in other studies aimed at detecting spatial groups with specific characteristics (French, 2020;Shen, 2021). The results obtained after the application of this tool make it possible to obtain an optimal number of differentiated groups in the study area that present similar characteristics.…”

Global bioregions of reptiles confirm the consistency of bioregionalization processes across vertebrate clades

“…Research on bioregions has remained a vital field of biogeography, and several bioregionalizations of the planet have been proposed during the last decades (e.g. Carta et al, 2022; Holt et al, 2013; Kreft & Jetz, 2010; Morrone, 2015; Procheş & Ramdhani, 2012; Rueda et al, 2013; Shen et al, 2021). Most historical regionalizations were based only on the geographic distribution of species.…”