Movement patterns of threeAthalia sawflies in relation to the spatio-temporal distributions of their habitats

I compared the differences in the movement intensity of three species of sympatric Athalia sawflies, A. japonica, A. rosae and A. infumata feeding on cruciferous plants. Mark-release-recapture census was conducted to estimate movement distance, sex ratio and age composition of adult sawflies. In addition, the sex ratio of newlyemerged adults was examined by rearing field-collected larvae until adult emergence. Age composition and longevity of adults were estimated experimentally. The movement intensity was evaluated mostly with the indirect information thus obtained. Females moved more actively than males in all three sawflies. A. japonica females of all age classes moved actively in spring and autumn, but in summer they disappeared. Also, A. rosae females of all age classes moved actively in spring and autumn. In summer, in contrast with A. japonica, A. rosae females moved most actively among the three species in all seasons. A. infumata females, in particular the young females, moved most actively among the three species, except A rosae in summer. The movement patterns of the three sawflies were deduced in relation to the spatio-temporal distributions of their habitats. In spring and autumn, when host plants were abundant, A. japonica and A. rosae females were dispersed among the host patches within the census are. In summer, however, when host plants were scarce, A. japonica entered diapause, whereas A. rosae migrated to neighboring areas. On the other hand, A. infumata, in particular young famale, innately dispersed to seek for temporary host plants throughout the census seasons.     

Differences in host plant selection among three Athalia sawflies feeding on crucifers in Japan

Abstract 1. The ways of using host plants were compared among the three Athalia sawflies [ A. japonica (Klug), A. rosae ruficornis Jakovlev, and A. infumata (Marlatt)] feeding on crucifers in Japan to determine whether host specialisation can explain the difference in their life-history traits. The occurrence of their larvae was examined on each crucifer species in the field, and the suitability of each crucifer species for the three successive steps of host use by the sawflies was evaluated: microhabitat selection by adult females, female oviposition, and larval growth.
2. There were 11 species of crucifer in the study area, and A. japonica , A. rosae , and A. infumata used nine, seven, and eight species respectively. Thus, sawfly host ranges overlapped.
3. Adult females of A. japonica , A. rosae , and A. infumata preferred shady clumps of crucifers, sunny clumps of crucifers, and disturbed areas respectively.
4. Unsuitable hosts for larval performance such as Brassica oleracea and Arabis plants were eliminated from the host ranges of the three sawflies.
5. Once they chose microhabitats, the suitability of each host plant for female oviposition and larval growth was similar.
6. Because of the divergent preferences for microhabitats, the host plants that were suitable for all the three steps were restricted to different sets of plants among the sawflies: Cardamine for A. japonica , cultivated crucifers ( Raphanus and Brassica ) for A. rosae , and Rorippa for A. infumata . These plants could be recognised as the respective primary host plants.
7. The spatio-temporal distributions of primary hosts were consistent with and explained the pattern of diapause and migration of each sawfly, suggesting that host specialisation caused their life-history traits to differentiate.     

Why does only Athalia Japonica enter summer diapause among three sympatric Athalia sawflies feeding on crucifers?

This report assesses the primary factor for the evolution of summer diapause of the three species of sawfly, Athalia japonica, A. rosae and A. infumata that feed on cruciferous plants and coexist in the same area. A. japonica has two discrete spring and autumn generations, but A. rosae and A. infumata 5–6 generations. Only A. japonica enters summer diapause in response to the long daylengths in spring. Although these three sawflies usually feed on the same cultivated crucifers, they differ markedly in the utilization of wild crucifers. They oviposit only on young leaves. A. japonica mainly uses Cardamine plants which sprout in spring and autumn. A. rosae and A. infumata primarily use hosts with new leaves all the year round, i.e. cultivated crucifers and Rorippa indica, respectively. The thermal threshold for development is lower in A. japonica than in the other two species. The low heat tolerance of A. japonica is adapted only to cool shady habitats where Cardamine grows. Presumably, summer diapause of A. japonica is adaptation to the deterioration of the primary host plants rather than unfavorable climatic conditions. This interpretation is supported by the movement patterns of the three Athalia sawflies, alternative means to escape from deteriorated habitat conditions.     

不同植物种类及棉花品种对扶桑绵粉蚧生物学影响研究进展

扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis是一种多食性入侵害虫,其寄主范围广、适应性强,已入侵多个国家和地区,对农业生产造成了严重危害。本文通过分析不同寄主植物上扶桑绵粉蚧研究,找出相对适宜与不适宜寄主植物,以便指导作物种植,并为培育抗扶桑绵粉蚧作物提供一定参考。本文通过收集分析相关文献,运用数理统计方法,综述和分析了不同寄主植物上扶桑绵粉蚧生长发育、生殖、抗逆等方面研究进展及其差异。发现马铃薯、豚草是极有利于扶桑绵粉蚧繁衍的植物,其次是扶桑与棉花。对10个品种棉花的分析发现,中棉所59对扶桑绵粉蚧具有较强的抗性,而抗虫棉RCH-134不具有抗性。对扶桑绵粉蚧生物学尤其是生长发育、繁殖能力等研究已经比较多,今后与该虫相关的抗虫育种、生物防治、分子生物学等研究可望成为重点。     

土壤因子对野生植物AM真菌的影响

1　引　　言关于生态因子对ＡＭ真菌发生和分布的影响 ,国内外均有报道[1,2 ,7] ,张美庆等[6] 比较系统地研究了我国东、南沿海七省ＡＭ真菌的生态分布 ;吴铁航[5] 报道了几种土壤因子对栽培作物根围内ＡＭ真菌分布的影响 .本文主要介绍土壤类型、质地、营养状况、ｐＨ等对野生植物根围ＡＭ真菌的侵染、孢子密度和种属分布的影响 .2　研究地区与研究方法2 1　研究地区概况山东省位于 33°2 5′～ 38°2 3′Ｎ ,114°36′～ 12 2°4 3′Ｅ之间 ,属暖温带大陆性季风气候 ,年平均气温 11～ 14℃ ,年平均降水量为 5 5 0～ 95 0ｍｍ .根据地貌不…     

我国国家级自然保护区主要外来入侵植物分布格局及成因

自然保护区在生物多样性保护中起着关键作用,然而也面临外来物种入侵等诸多压力。基于72个已调查国家级自然保护区外来入侵植物数据,重点分析生态环境部发布的四批外来入侵物种名单中已有分布的35种外来入侵植物分布格局及其影响因素。研究发现72个国家级自然保护区平均记录有（7.78±0.47）种外来入侵植物,MaxEnt模型预测结果表明98.69%的国家级自然保护区面临外来植物入侵风险。低纬度地区（8.07±0.73）和中纬度地区（9.64±0.56）国家级自然保护区外来入侵植物数量显著高于高纬度地区（4.53±0.88）,且不同类型国家级自然保护区外来入侵植物差异不显著。温度和降雨量是影响外来入侵植物在自然保护区分布的关键因素,且影响不同生活型外来入侵植物分布格局的关键因素不同：温度对一年生草本、藤本和灌木的分布解释量极为显著,保护区建立时间、温度、降雨量和海拔共同影响多年生草本植物在国家级自然保护区的分布。研究结果表明国家级自然保护区外来入侵植物调查与监测还存在很大的空白,未来需要进一步加强自然保护区外来入侵植物研究,并提升外来入侵植物的监管能力。     

滇池湖滨区外来植物的分布格局及其与人类活动和乡土植物的关系

【目的】明确滇池湖滨区外来植物的分布格局及其主要人类活动影响因素,为管理外来植物提供数据支撑,更好地保护滇池生态系统。【方法】采用样方法和线路调查相结合的方式得到外来植物的分布信息,通过聚类分析和逐步回归分析等探究外来植物丰富度、密度与人类活动影响因素和乡土植物之间的关系。【结果】(1)滇池湖滨区外来植物的丰富度和密度分布格局基本一致;东、北两岸的外来植物丰富度相对较高,西、南两岸相对较低。各湖滨湿地公园外来植物的种类差异性较大,特别是晋宁南滇池国家湿地公园、古滇精品湿地公园、海东湿地公园与其他湖滨湿地公园的外来植物组成差别最大。(2)湖滨湿地公园的面积是影响外来植物丰富度和密度的主要因子。(3)外来植物丰富度与乡土植物丰富度呈正相关性。(4)典范对应分析结果表明,3个排序轴解释外来植物在滇池湖滨区物种组成变异的59.87%,湖滨湿地公园的主要道路长度、交通密度、面积是决定外来植物空间分布格局的主要变量。【结论】人类活动影响滇池湖滨区外来植物的空间分布,在乡土植物丰富度高的地区,外来植物的丰富度也较高,对外来植物进行管控的同时,也要防范由于人类活动造成外来植物增加的风险。     

Effects of nonhost and host plants on insect herbivory covarying with plant size in the cruciferous plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Turritis glabra</Emphasis>

Correlation between plant size and reproductive output may be modified by herbivory in accordance with host plant density and the presence of nonhost plants. To elucidate the effects of nonhost plant density and host plant density on the intensity of herbivory and reproductive output of the host plant in relation to plant size under natural conditions, we investigated the abundance of three lepidopteran insects, Plutella maculipennis, Anthocharis scolymus, and Pieris rapae the intensity of herbivory, and fruit set of their host plant, Turritis glabra (Cruciferae). To elucidate the effects of nonhost and host plant density, we selected four categories of plots under natural conditions: low density of nonhost and high density of host plants; low density of both nonhost and host plants; high density of both nonhost and host plants; and high density of nonhost and low density of host plants. The plant size indicated by stem diameter was a good predictor of the abundance of all herbivorous species. The effects of density of nonhost and host plants on the abundance of insects varied among species and stages of insects. As the abundance of insects affected the intensity of herbivory, herbivory was more apparent on larger host plants in plots with low density of both nonhost and host plants. Consequently, the correlation between plant size and the number of fruits disappeared in low plots with density of both nonhost and host plants. In this T. glabra– herbivorous insect system, the density of nonhost plants and host plants plays an important role in modifying the relationship between plants and herbivores under natural conditions. Received: July 19, 1999 / Accepted: June 15, 2000     

烟粉虱在七种寄主植物上的生命表参数分析

在恒温25℃下,组建了烟粉虱在黄瓜、茄子、番茄、烟草、辣椒、甘蓝和菜豆等7种寄主植物上的实验种群生命表。结果表明,烟粉虱在不同寄主植物上的存活曲线差异明显,各寄主植物上以1,2龄若虫和成虫死亡率最高,3龄和伪蛹期死亡较少甚至不死亡;各寄主植物上烟粉虱的内禀增长率在0．2445～0．3424之间,以番茄上的rm最大,菜豆上的rm最小。讨论了烟粉虱的发展趋势和防治对策。     

中国外来入侵植物的等级划分与地理分布格局分析

基于文献报道、野外调查、标本记录和必要的分类学考证, 整理出我国外来入侵植物72科285属515种。根据外来入侵种的生物学与生态学特性、自然地理分布、入侵范围以及所产生的危害, 将其划分为5类: 即恶性入侵类(34种)、严重入侵类(69种)、局部入侵类(85种)、一般入侵类(80种)和有待观察类(247种)。通过地理分布格局分析, 中国外来入侵植物主要分布在我国西南及东部沿海地区, 并进一步扩散到内陆各省。中国外来入侵等级划分和地理分布格局可以作为外来入侵植物风险防范和管理的依据。本工作提供我国外来入侵植物的本底资料的同时, 还对主要外来入侵植物的管理提出了具体建议。     

地形因子对粤北山地森林不同生长型地表植物分布格局的影响

利用典范对应分析(CCA)方法研究了小地形变化对广东省车八岭国家级自然保护区山地常绿阔叶林不同生长型地表植物分布格局的影响.结果表明:坡向、坡度和坡位3个地形因子的综合作用对4种生长型地表植物(蕨类、木质藤本、草本和灌木)的分布格局均有显著影响.其中,坡向对4种生长型地表植物分布格局的影响均显著,坡度对灌木分布格局的影响显著,坡位对4种生长型地表植物分布格局的影响均不显著.从阴坡到半阴坡再到半阳坡,4种生长型地表植物的总个体数均逐渐减小,表明阴性植物在亚热带山地常绿阔叶林地表植物中占优势.大部分灌木属于阴性植物,其丰富度和多样性随坡向的变化趋势与总个体数一致.灌木对坡度的变化较敏感,在缓坡上数量较多.丘陵低山的坡位变化范围不大,对地表植物分布的影响不显著.在林分尺度上,地形因子在水平方向(坡向)上对地表植物分布格局的影响比垂直方向(坡度和坡位)大,反映出坡向是亚热带山地森林中影响水热条件的主要因子.     

中国黑戈壁植物多样性分布格局及其影响因素

我国西北地区内陆分布着近20万km~2的黑戈壁,由于其环境的特殊性,使其具有独特的生态系统,境内分布着多样的植被,蕴藏着大量特有的自然资源。但由于自然环境苛刻与交通条件不便,目前我国关于黑戈壁区系统的植被与物种多样性的研究还很缺乏。针对黑戈壁区植物多样性组成与分布特点,基于遥感及实地调查,采用DCCA排序和半变异函数模型等分析方法,对黑戈壁区植物群落组成,植物多样性特点及影响因素进行分析。研究结果表明:研究区植物以藜科和蒺藜科灌木或半灌木为主,群落物种生活型具有逐渐趋于简单甚至单一的特性,重要值0.1的植物主要有梭梭、红砂、白刺等13种;群落物种多样性呈现区域性的斑块化分布,结构性因子引起的物种多样性空间异质性占主导地位;作为极端干旱区,该区植物群落类型具有贫乏化及单一化的趋势,群落结构简单,植被覆盖度低,植物生长随环境的变化具有明显的可塑性,群落空间分异明显,群落空间演变具有明显的水分及土壤结构梯度;DCCA结果显示气候、土壤、地形是群落物种及类型变化的主要原因,海拔、坡位、土壤机械组成、降水、温度等环境因子对群落有着显著的影响,水土条件的空间异质性是戈壁植物多样性维持的关键因素。     

Identifying factors determining the altitudinal distribution of the invasive pest leafminers Liriomyza huidobrensis and Liriomyza sativae

Abiotic and biotic factors that change with altitude can influence the distribution of herbivorous insects. We examined factors influencing the distribution of the generalist leafminers Liriomyza sativae Blanchard and Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard (Diptera: Agromyzidae), two pests of agricultural crops, in the tropical Dieng mountainous area of Central Java, Indonesia. Liriomyza huidobrensis predominated at altitudes above 700 m a.s.l. and was the only species collected above 1 400 m a.s.l. In contrast, L. sativae predominated below 600 m a.s.l. and was not found above 1 200 m where the average temperature was 20.7 °C. Parasitoid diversity decreased with altitude, but parasitism did not change. The distribution of neither species was affected by parasitoids; L. huidobrensis predominant at high altitudes was preferred by Opius parasitoids common at these altitudes. Intra‐ and interspecific competition was detected in laboratory experiments where larval density was high, but led to coexistence rather than species displacement. No competition was detected in a field experiment when larval density was low. However, L. sativae failed to reproduce at the highest altitude, whereas L. huidobrensis established at all altitudes. Host composition varied with altitude and one host (faba beans) preferred by L. huidobrensis was common at high altitudes. By relating published data on the performance of the leafminer species to altitudinal temperature changes, we were partly successful in predicting the altitude at which the dominant species switched. Temperature plays an overriding influence on the altitudinal distribution of leafminers.     

B型烟粉虱在甘蓝、西葫芦和辣椒上的刺吸取食行为

利用刺吸电波技术（EPG）记录了B型烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci在甘蓝Brassica oleracea L. var. caqitata、西葫芦Cucurbita pepo L.和辣椒Capsicum annuum L.上的刺吸取食波形。结果表明,3种寄主植物的适合度为甘蓝>西葫芦>辣椒。在所观察的25头烟粉虱中,到达甘蓝、西葫芦和辣椒韧皮部的个体数分别为24、19和15,其中持续吸食头数为22、10和1。在第一阶段（从刺吸开始到第一个E(pd)1出现）,烟粉虱在甘蓝、西葫芦和辣椒3种植物上非刺探时间所占比例分别为9.59%、23.55%和36.97%,三者差异显著; 在第二阶段（从第一个E(pd)1出现到第一次韧皮部持续吸食）,烟粉虱在甘蓝和西葫芦上所考察的4个指标无显著差异; 在第三阶段（从第一次韧皮部持续吸食至记录结束）,烟粉虱在甘蓝上第一次韧皮部持续吸食后的刺探次数（4.73）显著低于在西葫芦上的刺探次数（13.40）。在自由状态下,烟粉虱60 min内在甘蓝、西葫芦和辣椒上留存粉虱的百分比分别为100％、88％和28％,这进一步验证了上述依据EPG记录得到的结果。     

近30年古尔班通古特沙漠短命植物的时空格局

基于1985—1999年的GIMMS-NDVI数据和2000—2014年的MODIS-NDVI数据提取短命植物的时空格局,结合野外调查数据和1985—2014年气象站点气温和降水数据,从不同时空尺度上分析了古尔班通古特沙漠短命植物的时空变化及其对气候变化的响应。结果表明:(1)古尔班通古特沙漠中短命植物层片整体表现出物种组成简单,优势度高、多样性和覆盖度低等特征,且层片特征主要是由优势物种所主导,在早春至盛夏期间,由于短暂的生活史造成层片整体在物候上有一个明显的起伏差异。(2)沙漠中短命植物覆盖度最高的区域为南部和中东部,北部次之,西部最少。就时间变化趋势而言,受近30年早春温度和冬春降水增加的影响,短命植物覆盖的区域面积呈现出明显的增加趋势。(3)1985—2014年间3、4月温度和冬春两季降水量呈上升趋势,而反映短命植物长势的NDVI值与冬春两季降水量也呈正相关性,但就相关性程度而言,冬季降水量与NDVI呈显著性相关(P0.05,r=0.405),而春季降水由于时滞效应并未表现出显著相关性。     

干扰、地形和土壤对温州入侵植物分布的影响

分析自然因子和人为活动对入侵植物分布的影响,有助于预测外来植物的入侵.本研究采用路线踏查和样地调查相结合的方法,对温州地区外来入侵植物的组成和分布进行3次调查,同时记录样地土壤类型、地形、人为干扰等环境因子.使用典范对应分析(canonical correspondence analysis)进行排序,分析外来植物的分...     

海南岛翼手类地理分布格局的聚类分析

2007年7月～2008年7月,对海南岛翼手类动物进行了物种多样性调查。按照《世界哺乳动物名典》和Simmons的分类系统进行分类,结合考察标本记录,整理调查结果和文献资料。统计海南岛翼手类动物计37种,隶属于2亚目7科（包括采集标本,计16种,隶属于2亚目4科）。依据分布型对其组成成分进行分析,结果表明海南岛翼手类动物东洋界种类相对较多,反映出强烈的华南区的特征;岛屿的影响表现在亚种分化和缺乏某些大陆类群。依物种组成对分布区进行聚类分析,结果呈现明显的四阶现象。根据物种多样性组成和聚类分析结果,可以认为以乐东、东方和陵水为主要区域范围的尖峰岭和吊罗山两大山系是目前统计海南岛翼手类物种分布的热点区。     

水盐梯度下荒漠植物多样性格局及其与土壤环境的关系

植物多样性格局作为生物多样性维持的一个重要方面可揭示群落构建的信息,反映物种对环境的适应性。结合样带调查和实验分析的方法,研究新疆艾比湖湿地自然保护区内水盐梯度下荒漠植物多样性格局及其与土壤环境因子间关系。结果表明:(1)高、低水盐样地(SW1,SW2)土壤容积含水量(SVWC)和电导率(EC)分别为16.65%和12.02 m S/cm及2.63%和1.91m S/cm,水盐变化主要影响草本和部分灌木群落的植物组成;(2)高水盐生境下植物群落无明显趋势性分布,低水盐生境下植物种依水盐和营养元素呈区域性分布。(3)高水盐生境下荒漠植物的多度分布呈对数正态模型,低水盐条件下符合Zipf模型,多度分布的变化反映了群落组成结构的水盐梯度响应;(4)SW1样地多样性总体显著高于SW2样地,土壤p H、SVWC和硫(S)对植物多样性有不同程度的极显著影响。综上可知,荒漠植物分布及多样性格局与土壤环境间关系呈一定的水盐梯度响应规律,本研究可为该地区植被恢复和土壤盐渍化治理提供科学依据。     

我国入侵植物多样性的区域分异及其影响因素——以74个地区数据为基础

以我国74个地理单位282种外来入侵植物的分布和环境数据为基础,应用除趋势对应分析、典范对应分析和回归分析方法,探讨了我国境内入侵植物区系组成、地理分布格局及其影响因素。主要结果如下:(1)我国74个地区共有282种外来入侵种,出现频率相对较高的外来入侵种是小飞蓬(Conyza canadensis)、刺苋(Amaranthus spinosus)、一年蓬(Erigeron annuus)、空心莲子草(Alternathera philoxeroides)、土荆芥(Chenopodium ambrosioides)、圆叶牵牛(Pharbitis purpurea)、曼陀罗(Datura stramonium)、皱果苋(Amaranthus viridis)、裂叶牵牛(Pharbitis nil)、反枝苋(Amaranthus retroflexus)、三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)、凤眼莲(Eichhornia crassipes)等;(2)菊科(Compositae,67,种数)、禾本科(Gramineae,32)、豆科(Leguminosae,29)、苋科(Amaranthaceae,23)、旋花科(Convolvulaceae,13)是我国境内含入侵种最丰富的5个科,共计有164种,占我国入侵植物总数的58.16%;(3)我国外来入侵植物主要源自于热带美洲、北美洲、欧洲、地中海-西亚和中亚、非洲和南亚;(4)外来入侵植物多样性在我国的区域分异明显,热带-南亚热带、中(北)亚热带和温带三大区域的入侵种组成有较大差异:马缨丹(Lantana camara)、含羞草(Mimosapudica)、胜红蓟(Ageratum conyzoides)、刺苋、小飞蓬、飞扬草(Euphorbia hirta)、五爪金龙(Ipomoea cairica)、空心莲子草、三叶鬼针草和金腰箭(Synedrella nodiflora)是热带-南亚热带区域中出现频率最高的前10种入侵植物;中亚热带和北亚热带区域出现频率最高的入侵种分别是一年蓬、小飞蓬、刺苋、土荆芥、北美独行菜(Lepidium virginicum)、美洲商陆(Phytolacca americana)、牛筋草(Eleusine indica)、紫茉莉(Mirabilis jalapa)、空心莲子草和三叶鬼针草;温带区域出现频率最高的是反枝苋、小飞蓬、圆叶牵牛、一年蓬、野西瓜苗(Hibiscus trionum)、杂配藜(Chenopodium hybridum)、苦苣菜(Sonchus oleraceus)、野燕麦(Avena fatua)、曼陀罗和皱果苋;(5)年降雨量、年均温度、年极端低温、无霜期和年均积温是影响我国外来入侵种空间分布格局的主要气象因素,年极端高温和年日照时数的影响相对较小;人口密度和交通密度对入侵种的地理分布也均有很大的影响;(6)随着年均温度、无霜期、人口密度、交通密度、年极端低温、年均降雨量和年积温的增加,外来入侵植物的种数呈线性增加,随着纬度的增加,种数则呈线性递减,种数与这8个环境因素间的关系达到极显著的水平;(7)不同地理来源的外来入侵种在我国的分布主要受纬度、年降雨量、年均无霜期、年均温度、交通密度、年极端低温和年均积温的影响。由于外来入侵种在我国分布呈现明显的区域分化,因此,应用建立具有区域特点的外来植物入侵风险评估系统。     

Convergence in the distribution patterns of Europe’s plants and mammals is due to environmental forcing

Aim Our aims were to test: (1) the extent to which vascular plant associations are related in space to mammalian associations, and (2) whether the plant associations are more closely related than the mammalian associations to climate and to a published environmental stratification of Europe. Location Europe, as defined by the following boundaries: 11° W, 32° E, 71° N and 35° N. Methods The analysis is based on presence/absence records of mammal species and plant species with a resolution of 50 km × 50 km. The similarity of the overall spatial structure was tested using a partial Mantel test while controlling for the effect of geographical proximity. To further identify the main spatial components in the datasets, we used k‐means clustering and principal components analysis. The resulting geographical patterns were compared with one another, with climate variables and with the environmental stratification of Europe. Results The clustering of the plant data forms coherent areas that can be interpreted as reflections of floristic regions that are controlled to a large extent by climate and topography. In terms of the correlation between distance matrices, the relationship between plants and mammals is relatively strong. The relationships between mammals and climate, and between plants and climate, are more complex but always statistically significant. There is no evidence that the plant clusters are more closely related than the mammalian clusters to climate, although plant clusters are closer to environmental data than to climate. Main conclusions The clustering patterns of mammals and plants form groups that agree with one another in their spatial extent. The forcing of floristic patterns into coherent entities appears mainly to be caused by climatic variables (temperature, temperature range and rainfall), mediated by elevation differences. The formation of individual plant clusters is also related to species numbers and to local and regional floristic differences. The close correlation between the floristic and faunal patterns suggests that the mammal and plant distributions are controlled by the same environmental variables, although the extent to which the mammals are controlled directly by climate or through the influence of vegetation requires more detailed study.