High amphibian diversity related to unexpected environmental values in a biogeographic transitional area in north-western Mexico

Amphibian diversity and distribution patterns in Sinaloa state (north-western Mexico) were assessed from the Global Amphib-ian Assessment database (GAA-2010). A geographic information system (GIS) was used to evaluate diversity based on distribution maps of 41 species, associated with environmental data. The highest α and γ-diversities were identified in the south-eastern portion of the state, in mountain zones with a warm sub-humid climate, whereas the greatest β-diversity (multiplicative formu-lation) was aggregated in patches in the western portion of the state in mountains with temperate climates. A cluster analysis and Mantel test showed a strong association of Sorensen’s dis-similarity (additive formulation of β-diversity) with climate and soil moisture categories rather than physiographic categories. Additionally, the partition of Sorensen s ́ dissimilarity into it