Reptile species richness is highest across southern North America, and amphibian species richness is highest in the Southeast. What environmental variable(s) drive(s) geographic patterns of diversity in each of these two groups?
Ans: Environmental variables that drive geographic patterns of diversity in reptile and amphibian groups include: water-energy dynamics, productivity, habitat heterogeneity, and climatic stability. Species richness is defined as the number of different species co-occurring in a given region. For example, High elevation leads to less temperature and influence species richness in reptiles. Water affects amphibian richness and temperature affects reptile richness to a great extent as amphibians need water to lay eggs and amphibian adults require cool, moist climate as their body is sensitive to dry climate. On the contrary, reptiles are extreme solar ectotherms and thus, energy availability affects reptile species richness.
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