On the relationship between species distribution‐abundance‐occurrence and species duration

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Most abundant species are also geographically widely distributed. Widespread species are likely to occur at more sampling localities than narrowly distributed species. In addition, a few studies indicate that widely distributed species have longer species durations. Here, we test the validity of these generalizations for benthic foraminifera. Data from samples representing time slices spanning 57 My of the Cenozoic, from the North American Atlantic Coastal Plain, were used. Modern distributions of species surviving from these time slices and now living on the continental margins of North America were also used. The analyses confirm a positive statistical relationship linking geographic distribution, abundance, and frequency of occurrence. However, regression of species durations against frequency of occurrences, as well as against the abundance of individuals occurring in each time slice, indicated almost no relationship. Furthermore, for species surviving in the modern fauna, neither a regression comparing species durations with frequency of occurrence nor a comparison of species durations with geographic spread around North America was significant. Our data suggest an initial, trial period of “establishment”; extending up to 2 or 3 My for originating species. In contrast to most earlier studies, we find that the likelihood of extinction of species which survive this initial interval is the same, regardless of their distribution‐abundance‐occurrence.