Seeing the Big Picture on Microbe Distribution

摘要

Statements about the distribution of organisms can be made at all levels of phylogenetic scope and taxonomic resolution. The distributions of organisms on Earth reflect the interplay of dispersive trends with opportunity, obstruction, and extinction over time. If dispersal dominates, taxa tend to be widely distributed, and we rationalize presences and absences with greater reference to ecology. Where dispersal is constrained, taxa are more endemic, and we seek explanations by reference to history.