Global biogeographic regions in a human-dominated world: the case of human diseases

TY - JOUR

T1 - Global biogeographic regions in a human-dominated world

T2 - the case of human diseases

AU - Just, Michael G.

AU - Norton, Jacob F.

AU - Traud, Amanda L.

AU - Antonelli, Tim

AU - Poteate, Aaron S.

AU - Backus, Gregory A.

AU - Snyder-Beattie, Andrew

AU - Sanders, R. Wyatt

AU - Dunn, Robert Roberdeau

PY - 2014/11/1

Y1 - 2014/11/1

N2 - Since the work of Alfred Russel Wallace, biologists have sought to divide the world into biogeographic regions that reflect the history of continents and evolution. These divisions not only guide conservation efforts, but are also the fundamental reference point for understanding the distribution of life. However, the biogeography of human-associated species-such as pathogens, crops, or even house guests-has been largely ignored or discounted. As pathogens have the potential for direct consequences on the lives of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife it is prudent to examine their potential biogeographic history. Furthermore, if distinct regions exist for human-associated pathogens, it would provide possible connections between human wellbeing and pathogen distributions, and, more generally, humans and the deep evolutionary history of the natural world. We tested for the presence of biogeographic regions for diseases of humans due to pathogens using country-level disease composition data and compared the regions for vectored and non-vectored diseases. We found discrete biogeographic regions for diseases, with a stronger influence of biogeography on vectored than non-vectored diseases.We also found significant correlations between these biogeographic regions and environmental or sociopolitical factors. While some biogeographic regions reflected those already documented for birds or mammals, others reflected colonial history. From the perspective of diseases caused by pathogens, humans have altered but not evaded the influence of ancient biogeography. This work is the necessary first step in examining the biogeographic relationship between humans and their associates.

AB - Since the work of Alfred Russel Wallace, biologists have sought to divide the world into biogeographic regions that reflect the history of continents and evolution. These divisions not only guide conservation efforts, but are also the fundamental reference point for understanding the distribution of life. However, the biogeography of human-associated species-such as pathogens, crops, or even house guests-has been largely ignored or discounted. As pathogens have the potential for direct consequences on the lives of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife it is prudent to examine their potential biogeographic history. Furthermore, if distinct regions exist for human-associated pathogens, it would provide possible connections between human wellbeing and pathogen distributions, and, more generally, humans and the deep evolutionary history of the natural world. We tested for the presence of biogeographic regions for diseases of humans due to pathogens using country-level disease composition data and compared the regions for vectored and non-vectored diseases. We found discrete biogeographic regions for diseases, with a stronger influence of biogeography on vectored than non-vectored diseases.We also found significant correlations between these biogeographic regions and environmental or sociopolitical factors. While some biogeographic regions reflected those already documented for birds or mammals, others reflected colonial history. From the perspective of diseases caused by pathogens, humans have altered but not evaded the influence of ancient biogeography. This work is the necessary first step in examining the biogeographic relationship between humans and their associates.

U2 - 10.1890/ES14-00201.1

DO - 10.1890/ES14-00201.1

M3 - Journal article

SN - 2150-8925

VL - 5

SP - 1

EP - 21

JO - Ecosphere (Washington, D.C.)

JF - Ecosphere (Washington, D.C.)

IS - 11

M1 - 143

ER -