RT Journal Article
T1 Biases and distribution patterns in hard‐bodied microscopic animals (Acari: Halacaridae): Size does not matter, but generalism and sampling effort do
A1 Rubio López, Iñigo
A1 Pardos Martínez, Fernando
A1 Fontaneto, Diego
A1 Martínez, Alejandro
A1 García Gómez, Guillermo
AB Aim. The interplay between distribution ranges, species traits and sampling and taxonomic biases remains elusive amongst microscopic animals. This ignorance obscures our understanding of the diversity patterns of a major component of biodiversity. Here, we used marine Halacaridae to explore whether differences between marine provinces can explain their distribution patterns or if differential sampling efforts across regions prevent any macroecological inference. Furthermore, we test if certain functional traits influence their distribution patterns. Location. Europe. Results. Whereas geographical variables provided a better explanation for differences in species composition, sampling effort and distance from marine biological stations accounted for the majority of differences in European Halacaridae richness. Species occurring in more habitats showed broader geographical ranges and accumulated more records. Species traits like generalism affected the distribution of halacarid species. Main Conclusions.We propose that the sampling effort of halacarid mites in Europe might be explained by two different cognitive biases: the convenience of selecting certain sampling localities compared to others and the tendency of zoologists to scrutinise habitats where their target organisms are more common.
PB John & Wiley Sons
SN 1366-9516
YR 2023
FD 2023-05-04
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/121633
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/121633
LA eng
NO Rubio-López, I., Pardos, F., Fontaneto, D., Martínez, A., & García-Gómez, G. (2023). Biases and distribution patterns in hard-bodied microscopic animals (Acari: Halacaridae): Size does not matter, but generalism and sampling effort do. Diversity and Distributions, 29(7), 821-833. https://doi.org/10.1111/DDI.13679
NO The MS has been written in the IRSA-CNR in Pallanza, supported by an Erasmus+ Mobility grant to IRL.
NO European Commission
DS Docta Complutense
RD 25 dic 2025