Using parsimony analysis of endemicity to analyze the distribution of Mexican land mammals

Abstract

Patterns of endemism of terrestrial mammals inhabiting Mexico are analyzed by applying Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) to 47 ecoregions. The ecoregions were classified in 2 main groups: ecoregions of the Baja California Peninsula and ecoregions of the rest of the country. We found 27 ecoregions with characteristic taxa, and 5 areas of endemism: Northern High Plateau, Baja California, Chiapas, Isthmus, and Yucatan Peninsula. Groups of ecoregions arc basically congruent with other regionalization schemes previously proposed for the country.