Macroecological correlates of Darwinian shortfalls across terrestrial vertebrates

• DOI: 10.52843/cassyni.30v063
• Publication Date: 2024-07-28T19:28:58Z
• Authors: Jhonny J. M. Guedes
• Keywords: Macroecology

Most described species have not been explicitly included in phylogenetic trees—a problem named the Darwinian shortfall—due to a lack of molecular and/or morphological data, thus hampering explicit incorporation evolution into large-scale biodiversity analyses. We investigate potential drivers shortfall tetrapods, group where at least one-third still necessitating imputation their evolutionary relationships fully-sampled phylogenies. show that number preserved specimens scientific collections is main driver knowledge accumulation, highlighting major role biological unveiling novel data and importance continued sampling efforts reduce gaps. Additionally, large-bodied wide-ranged species, as well terrestrial aquatic amphibians reptiles, are phylogenetically better known. Therefore, future should prioritize research on organisms narrow-ranged, small-bodied, underrepresented collections, such fossorial species. Addressing will be imperative for advancing our understanding shaping patterns implementing comprehensive conservation strategies.