Broad-Scale Climatic Gradients Drive Multiple Facets of Scorpion Beta Diversity in Northeastern Brazil

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  Broad-Scale Climatic Gradients Drive Multiple Facets of Scorpion Beta Diversity in Northeastern Brazil ABSTRACT Aim Beta diversity analyses clarify mechanisms structuring ecological communities, but their multidimensional facets remain poorly explored in arthropods. Here, we quantified taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional beta diversity in scorpions, partitioned these facets into species replacement and richness differences, and evaluated the relative importance of spatial structure and environmental conditions in driving community assembly. Location Northeastern Brazil, South America. Taxon Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Methods Taxonomic beta diversity was estimated using species presence across 70 sites in northeastern Brazil. Phylogenetic turnover was calculated from a multi-locus molecular tree, and functional beta diversity was derived from morphometric and ecological traits. All beta diversity facets were decomposed into replacement and richness-difference component...

Eco-Evolutionary Drivers of Body Size Variation in Arthropods, With a Focus on Spiders

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Eco-Evolutionary Drivers of Body Size Variation in Arthropods, With a Focus on Spiders

ABSTRACT

Aim

Body size has been used thoroughly in arthropod ecology as a reliable trait to assess fitness responses to changes in environmental factors. We aim to assess general patterns of intraspecific body size variation along macroecological gradients in arthropods. We more specifically discuss these patterns in spiders, as they represent a large and diverse group, colonising most terrestrial habitats.

Location: Global.

Time Period: 1982–2024.

Major Taxa Studied: Arthropods.

Methods

We propose a systematic review and a meta-analysis of 146 studies on intraspecific body size variation in arthropods over two main macroecological spatial gradients—latitude and elevation—both of high interest in a global warming context.

Results

We found that more species with direct than with indirect development present a converse Bergmann cline along both gradients.

Main Conclusions

We propose that life history traits such as voltinism, mobility and brood care influence intraspecific body size patterns—potentially hiding large-scale patterns. This review gathers empirical data about body size variation along elevational and latitudinal gradients in arthropods, providing a step forward to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving body size variation.

Ameline, C., D. Lafage, M. Hedde, P. Vernon, and J. Pétillon. 2026. “ Eco-Evolutionary Drivers of Body Size Variation in Arthropods, With a Focus on Spiders.” Journal of Biogeography 53, no. 2: e70158. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.70158.