Species range size shapes distance‐decay in community similarity

Aim (i) To assess the dependence between form of decrease in biological similarity with distance (distance-decay) and species range size (ii) to introduce use a sigmoidal model, Gompertz function, as flexible alternative able fit distance-decay models under wide variety sizes. Location Applicable worldwide. Methods We computed curves from simulated communities how sizes shape functional patterns (i.e. negative exponential, power-law or [Gompertz] relationships). Simulations were performed using different sample detection probabilities. also used distribution data South American mammals explore relationship an empirical dataset. Results Our simulations showed that is best supported model when tend be small. An increase leads exponential relationship, taking (Gompertz) largest values. Similar results have been found pattern mammals. Remarkably, function fits reasonably well all scenarios. Main conclusions The depends on key biogeographical attribute: size. This makes it interesting tool detect biodiversity threats associated expansion, such biotic homogenization faunas. mathematical accommodates frequency distributions and, thus, allows cross-taxa comparison this ecological pattern.