Hot , dry and different : Australian lizard richness is unlike that of mammals , amphibians and birdsgeb

Methods We digitized lizard distribution data to generate gridded maps of species richness and b-diversity. Using similar maps for amphibians, mammals and birds, we explored the relationship between species richness and temperature, actual evapotranspiration, elevation and local elevation range. We used spatial eigenvector filtering and geographically weighted regression to explore geographical patterns and take spatial autocorrelation into account. We explored congruence between the species richness of vertebrate groups whilst controlling for environmental effects.