INVESTIGADORES
FERRO luis ignacio
artículos
Título:
Biogeographical transition zones: a search for conceptual synthesis
Autor/es:
FERRO IGNACIO; MORRONE, JUAN J.
Revista:
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
Editorial:
WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Referencias:
Lugar: Londres; Año: 2014 p. 1 - 12
ISSN:
0024-4066
Resumen:
We revise concepts, definitions and examples of biogeographical transition zones to help develop a conceptual
framework and differentiate them from other transitions that occur in the geographical space. A biogeographical
transition zone is defined as a geographical area of overlap, with a gradient of replacement and partial segregation
between biotic components (sets of taxa that share a similar geographical distribution as a product of a common
history). It is an area where physical features, environmental conditions and ecological factors allow the mixture
and the co-occurrence of two or more biotic components, but also constrain their distribution further into one
another. The biogeographical affinities of the taxa are the most fundamental information to consider to analyse
biogeographical transition zones accurately. By plotting the frequency of different distribution patterns on maps,
gradual changes in their relative contribution to a given area can be perceived. Thus, the most heterogeneous
places in terms of distributional patterns can be defined numerically on strictly geographical grounds. Biogeographical
transition zones can occur at every hierarchical level of a biogeographical regionalization as long as
different biotic components come into contact geographically. Ecological boundaries or ecotones when characterized
only by differences in dominance of some species, life forms or sets of characteristic species (not endemic) are not
biogeographical transition zones as defined herein.