Biotic assembly in evolutionary biogeography: a case for integrative pluralism

Abstract

The emphasis on vicariance or dispersal has led to alternative and competing approaches to analyze biotic assembly, but both processes should be considered in an evolutionary integrative analysis. I define some relevant concepts (biotas, horobiotas, cenocrons, dispersal, vicariance and extinction) and discuss the differences between the dispersal-vicariance model and the center of origin-dispersal-vicariance (CODA) and vicariance models. I use the philosophical framework of integrative pluralism to justify an integrative evolutionary biogeographic approach, not implying an eclectic or "anything goes" perspective, but that different methods are compatible because they give partal solutions, when answering particular questions. This approach allows for the integration of the results of different analyses to explain biotic assembly.