Abstract
Species distribution patterns are essential for the conservation of
biodiversity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of
multiple ecological hypotheses on the spatial patterns of rodent species
richness in China. First, we divided the geographic region of China into
80 × 80 km2 grid cells and mapped the distribution
ranges of the 237 rodent species. Rodent taxa were separated into three
response variables based on their distribution: (a) all species, (b)
non-endemic species, and (c) endemic species. The predictors were
divided into four factor sets: (a) energy-water, (b) climatic
seasonality, (c) habitat heterogeneity, and (d) human factors, which
were used to represent four different ecological hypotheses. We then
performed multiple regression analysis (OLS), spatial autoregressive
models (SAR), and variation partitioning analyses to determine the
effects of predictors on the spatial patterns of rodent species. The
Hengduan Mountains and surrounding mountains in southwest China showed
the highest species richness and endemism. Habitat heterogeneity is the
most important factor explaining the species richness distribution
patterns across all species and non-endemic species. Endemic species
richness patterns are most susceptible to seasonal changes in climate
and least affected by human factors. The effects of energy and water on
the three response variables showed consistent levels of importance.