Data from: Unraveling the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of lizard assemblages in riparian forest areas in the Amazon–Pantanal ecotone

Historical, ecological, and biogeographical processes have shaped species
distribution and diversity on Earth. However, in ecotonal regions, the
action of these processes becomes even more complex. In this study, we
analyzed how species richness (SR), as well as functional diversity
(standardized functional diversity – SES.FD, functional dispersion – FDis,
and functional redundancy – FR), and phylogenetic diversity (phylogenetic
species variability – PSV and phylogenetic redundancy – PR) of lizard
assemblages varied along riparian forests in the Amazon–Pantanal ecotone.
Sampling was carried out at 24 sites distributed along the Paraguay River
in Brazil, using pitfall traps and active searches. We recorded 262
lizards from 13 species and 8 families. Species composition differed among
the sampled ecoregions. Functional redundancy (FR) and PR were greater in
the riparian forest areas of the Amazon; PSV was greater in the
assemblages from the Pantanal and Amazon–Pantanal ecotone, while SR,
SES.FD, and FDis did not differ among the regions. The variation in the
diversity patterns of the lizard assemblages is probably a result of the
different environmental conditions and evolutionary histories among these
ecoregions and their ecotone. The greater diversity of lineages in the
lizard assemblages of the riparian forest areas from the Pantanal was
probably influenced by the contact between ecologically and historically
distinct regions. However, the lower redundancy in the traits and lineages
of these assemblages indicates that they are highly susceptible to
disturbances, emphasizing the need for conservation policies and actions
to protect the lizard assemblages in the world's largest floodplain
area.