Why biogeographical transition zones matter

Abstract Biogeographical transition zones are areas of overlap, replacement or partial segregation between different biotas, which sets taxa sharing similar geographical distributions as a result common evolutionary history and ecological affinities. Transition occur in few particular the world where historically contingent processes have allowed biotic elements to coexist interact. Evolutionary historical biogeographers traditionally characterized by overlap elements. More recently, authors applying track analyses detected presence nodes conflicting results cladistic biogeographic analyses. Ecological taken approach, usually quantitative methods, for example, species turnover indices analyse strength breadth zones. Some consider represent outstanding analysing principles shaping assembly, whereas others dismissed them, sometimes artificial. particularly interesting truly integrative biogeography, being natural laboratories interaction can be analysed fruitfully, especially appropriate an epistemologically grounded pluralism. A coherent conceptual framework zones, however, is still lacking.