Biogeographic patterns in the biodiversity dimensions of estuarine fish assemblages
from the Western Atlantic
Biogeographic patterns in the biodiversity dimensions of estuarine fish assemblages
from the Western Atlantic
Understanding how different biodiversity components are related across different
environmental conditions is a major goal in macroecology and conservation biogeography.
We investigated correlations among different dimensions of estuarine fish diversity (species
richness, phylogenetic and functional diversity) along the three biogeographic realms of the
Western Atlantic. We combined data from 232 estuaries and 1216 species, which were
characterized by seven functional traits and by phylogenetic affinity. Our results provide new
insights into the relationship between environmental drivers and the dimensions of fish
diversity along the Western Atlantic. As expected, spatial scale had a significant role in the
effects of variables, with different combinations of factors having unique relationships with
dimensions at the macro (the whole Western Atlantic) and meso (for each biogeographic
realm) scales. Overall, estuarine fish diversity dimensions were all correlated to estuary mouth width and sea surface temperature, with wider entrances and warmer waters hosting the highest values of SR, PD and FD. However, at smaller scales, arrangements in each dimension varied according to distinct environmental features of regions.