Question

Please Please Answer this question with fully explanation.
1: Detail two specific hypotheses proposed to explain the Latitudinal Gradient in Species Richness, be sure to include evidence for and shortcomings of the hypotheses (10 points)

Answer 1

The pattern of getting many species at the equator with diversity dwindling off towards the poles is understood because the Latitudinal Diversity Gradient — "latitudinal" meaning how far north or south of the equator, "diversity" meaning the amount of species, and "gradient" meaning the transition between high and low. Amongst the earliest remarked, and best documented, of broad-scale spatial patterns of life on Earth could be a trend for more species to be found towards lower latitudes. . particularly, the gradient are often influenced by the form of continents or ocean basins, marked discontinuities in environmental conditions, and major historical events (such as periods of glaciation). there's evidence, however, that for a few particular groups of organisms that remain quite speciose the latitudinal gradient has become steeper through evolutionary time.Ultimately, the latitudinal gradient in species richness must be a consequence of a greater period of net diversification within the tropics, likely following the origins of life there, or higher speciation rates and/or lower extinction rates at low latitudes compared with other regions.There is evidence that a lot of temperate clades had their origins within the tropics. The prevailing view is that the tropics seem also to possess been a ‘cradle of diversity’ (with high speciation rates), which they need served as a ‘museum of diversity’ (with low extinction rates). Speciation rates might also are heightened and extinction rates reduced by the greater extent of the tropics within the past, and therefore the accumulation of species at higher latitudes may are reduced by the historical adaptation of most clades to tropical environments.