Abstract

GONZALEZ-MONTANA, Luis A. Detection and visualization modules for Neotropical butterfly fauna through graph theory. Actu Biol [online]. 2014, vol.36, n.101, pp.97-105. ISSN 0304-3584.

Graph theory offers methodological tools that allow the description of different kinds of interactions, as well as describe their emergent properties such as the conformation of modules. The objective of this study was to detect and visualize modules for a graph constructed from the Neotropical butterfly fauna and their geographic localities using two optimization methods. Depending on the method used, seven to eight modules were obtained, which corresponded in part to the major biogeographic regions proposed. The resultant graph showed communities patterns of reduction in species richness and an increase in isolation toward the periphery; this was true for either the general graph as well as some modules expressing a core-periphery pattern. The potential role of dispersal and the usefulness of graphs to explain the balance between local and regional richness and speciation at the community level are discussed.

Keywords : graph theory; modularity; optimization; dispersion; biogeography; center-periphery pattern.

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