Spatial Phylogenetic Analysis of Chinese Lizards: Insights Into Ecological Drivers and Conservation Gaps

ABSTRACT A major challenge to biodiversity conservation is prioritizing species and regions for conservation under limited resources. Phylogenetic diversity (PD) and phylogenetic endemism (PE) together could provide an effective estimate for biodiversity conservation by identifying areas rich in evolutionarily unique lineages and range‐restricted evolutionary history that are in urgent need of protection. Furthermore, understanding the spatial patterns and environmental correlates of these phylogenetic metrices is crucial because it helps to uncover the underlying processes driving biodiversity. We used recently updated distributions and phylogenetic relationships of all Chinese lizards (~90%), and found that the PD and the PE hotspots are mainly located in southern China. We found that temperature plays a stronger role than precipitation, historical climatic stability and seasonality in shaping the spatial patterns of PD and PE. Additionally, PE tends to be higher in regions with greater heterogeneity. Based on the categorical analysis of neo‐ and paleo‐endemism, our results also indicated that the majority of PE hotspots (mix of neo‐ and paleo‐endemism) were located in mountainous terrain (e.g., Hengduan–Himalaya) and on islands (Hainan, Taiwan). Importantly, we show that these hotspots in Chinese mainland are mostly located outside protected areas. Overall, our study highlights these regions with high PD and PE are mainly in mountains of southern and northwestern China. However, current protected areas are insufficient for lizard conservation in China, as they do not adequately cover key centres of evolutionary history.