The Inverse Latitudinal Gradient in Species Richness of Forest Millipedes: Centrobolus Cook, 1897

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to test the Tropical Conservativism Hypothesis and Biogeographical Conservativism Hypothesis in forest millipedes. Latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) was measured in the genus Centrobolus to distinguish between the two hypotheses. There was a significant correlation between the number of species and latitudinal degrees away from the equator (r=-0.91, r²=0.83, n=35, p<0.01). An evolutionary preference for temperate environments appearing to have led to climatic constraints on dispersal based on precipitation seasonality gradients and predation was suggested.