global evaluation of metabolic theory as an explanation for terrestrial species richness gradients

• Published in: Ecology (Durham) Vol. 88; no. 8; pp. 1877 - 1888
• Main Authors: Hawkins, B.A, Albuquerque, F.S, Araujo, M.B, Beck, J, Bini, L.M, Cabrero-Sanudo, F.J, Castro-Parga, I, Diniz-Filho, J.A.F, Ferrer-Castan, D, Field, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.2007
• Subjects: air temperature; animal ecology; Animals; Biodiversity; biogeography; body weight; Ecosystem; Energy Metabolism - physiology; enzymes; geographical distribution; Geography; invertebrates; Invertebrates - growth & development; least squares; Linear Models; meta-analysis; metabolism; Models, Biological; Plant Development; plant ecology; prediction; Predictive Value of Tests; Regression Analysis; species diversity; Species Specificity; taxonomy; Temperature; vertebrates

We compiled 46 broadscale data sets of species richness for a wide range of terrestrial plant, invertebrate, and ectothermic vertebrate groups in all parts of the world to test the ability of metabolic theory to account for observed diversity gradients. The theory makes two related predictions: (1)...