Dataset: Global spatial patterns of evolutionary diversity in Cactaceae show low ecological representation within protected areas

AbstractAimMapping biodiversity patterns across taxa and environments is crucial to address the evolutionary and ecological dimensions of species distribution, suggesting areas of particular importance for conservation purposes. Within Cactaceae, spatial diversity patterns, such as metrics of phylogenetic endemism (PE) and diversity (PD), are poorly explored, as well as the abiotic factors that may explain these patterns, which are important to understand the desertification pattern into the family and for conservation purposes.LocationThe Neotropical region.MethodsWe gather geographic and genetic data from cacti species, which are associated with the xeric environments, to evaluate the diversity patterns, using the software biodiverse, and the variable predictors into a global analysis. ResultsHotspot areas of diversity are located dispersed along the Neotropical region, mainly in the desertic portion of Mesoamerica, Caribbean island, and the Dry Diagonal of South America. The geomorphological features may create a complexity of areas that work as locally buffered zones through time, which triggered local events of diversification and speciation. The deserts and drylands/dry forests areas comprise paleo- and superendemism, and may act as both museums and cradles of species, not only for Cactaceae, displaying great importance for conservationism. Past climatic, topography, soil features, and solar irradiance seem to highly contribute to the predictions of distinct endemism types, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic endemism. However, hotspots areas that encompass a major part of the endemism cells are outside or poorly covered by formal protection units. Main conclusionsThe legally strict areas are not able to protect the cacti evolutionary history. Given the fast anthropogenic disturbance, efforts have to be done to monitor biodiversity and the environment and to define/plan current and new protected areas. The diversity metrics reported here may assist in these conservation initiatives.