A recent study, published in the journal Ecography evaluates this suggestion on a continental scale for the first time, using a dataset that encompasses the entire bird fauna of sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying 1,572 biological species defined in the African 'Atlas of Speciation' and 2,098 phylogenetic species, the study found that large-scale patterns of species richness and endemisms were remarkably robust to changes in species concepts. By in-depth analysis, the study was able to document further complexity within long-recognized centres of endemism.
Both species concepts agree on their view on endemism, with certain areas acting as "species pumps" and large intervening areas being characterised by a predominance of widespread species, which distribute themselves in accordance with contemporary environmental conditions.
Ecography