Chemical prospecting: An evolutionary-biogeographical
approach - mesoamerican cloud forests as an example*
J.C.
Schuster
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, 18 Avenida 11-95, Zone 15,
V.H. III, Apartado Postal No. 82, 01901, Guatemala, C.A.
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Exploration for species with unique
biochemical compositions should be guided by the study of speciation
events that lead to local endemism. Unique species with restricted
distributions may contain unique chemicals as well, not patented
by other tropical countries. My objective is to show how one determines
areas with a maximum number of endemic species, i.e., areas of endemism.
One must realize that areas of endemism do
not correlate 100% for all taxa; what may be an endemic area
for certain taxa may not be for others. For example, in Guatemala,
passalid beetles and salamanders have similar areas of endemism;
however, they do not necessarily correlate with those of orchids.
Nevertheless, certain areas contain greater numbers of endemic
taxa than others.
Tropical rain forests and cloud forests tend to
have high biodiversity. Cloud forests also tend to have high degrees
of endemism. By studying the geologic history of a region and the
present and past barriers to migration, one can predict which areas
will tend to have endemic species. Confirmation of endemism can
be done through indicator species. For example, passalid beetles
can serve as indicator organisms for areas of endemism in cloud
forest zones. In northern Central America, 8 endemic cloud forest
areas are recognized on the basis of passalid species distributions.
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