Spatial autocorrelation patterns of stream invertebrates: exogenous and endogenous factors

Aim To investigate spatial autocorrelation of taxonomic stream invertebrate groups (richness and composition) at a large geographical scale and to analyse the importance of exogenous and endogenous factors. Location The Mediterranean Basin. Methods For exogenous factors, we used large‐scale factors related to climate, geology and river zonation; for endogenous factors, we used the dispersal mode of each taxonomic group. After describing and analysing spatial patterns of genus richness and genus composition of stream invertebrate groups in the Mediterranean Basin, we computed Moran’s I before and after accounting for the exogenous factors and related it to the endogenous factors. Results In relation to genus richness, most of the taxonomic groups did not show significant spatial autocorrelation, suggesting that no main large‐scale exogenous or endogenous factors were important and that local‐scale factors were probably controlling taxonomic richness. In contrast, for genus composition, all taxonomic groups except Odonata had significant spatial autocorrelation before accounting for the environment. After accounting for the environment, most taxonomic groups still had a significant spatial autocorrelation, but it decreased with their increasing dispersal ability (from Crustacea to Coleoptera). Thus, spatial taxonomic composition of groups with the strongest dispersal potential is mainly related to exogenous factors, whereas that of groups with weaker dispersal potential is related to a combination of exogenous and endogenous factors. Main conclusions Our results illustrate the importance of dispersal as an endogenous factor causing spatial autocorrelation and suggest that ignoring endogenous factors can lead to misunderstandings when explaining large‐scale community patterns.