Positive range–abundance relationships in Indo-Pacific bird communities

Abstract

Reeve et al. (2016, Ecography, 39, 990–997) recently reported negative range–abundance relationships in Indo-Pacific bird communities and speculated that geographical isolation facilitates the evolution of broad-niched, small-ranged and abundant species. We tested this relationship using a large independent data set on range and abundance of birds across New Caledonia (over 4,000 bird census points for 17,300 km²). In contradiction to Reeve et al. (2016, Ecography, 39, 990–997), we found clear evidence that range–abundance relationships are positive and endemic species have narrower habitat niches than wide-range species. Our findings are likely valid also for other islands in the Indo-Pacific.