Biotic and abiotic drivers of bat spatial diversification

• Grant number: 24/15849-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: February 28, 2025
• End date: February 27, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Theoretical Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Bosisio Quental
• Grantee: Gabriel Santos Garcia
• Supervisor: Michael Landis
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Washington University in St. Louis, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/15866-2 - The role of ecological interactions in bat diversification, BP.DR

Abstract

Species distribution is uneven across the globe, with most species found closer to the Equator and distinct biotas characterizing different continents. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain these patterns, including continental drift, climatic stability, and coevolution. Studies on diversification often debate the relative roles of biotic versus abiotic factors, such as interspecific competition and environmental conditions, in shaping biodiversity. Abiotic factors like climate and habitat connectivity often influence diversification, while biotic interactions can drive speciation through mechanisms like coevolution and niche partitioning. Despite extensive research, integrating both biotic and abiotic factors in a spatially explicit model remains challenging. This study proposes using a model that incorporates geographic, biotic, and abiotic descriptors to assess their roles in shaping bat diversification. By examining the effects of geographic factors (e.g., area, adjacency), biotic factors (e.g., ecological saturation), and abiotic conditions (e.g., climatic heterogeneity), we aim to measure the importance of each process in driving current diversity patterns among bats, highlighting how both biotic and abiotic interactions collectively shape biodiversity through space and time.