The Mogollon Highlands of Arizona and New Mexico is a uniquely biodiverse ecoregion that has been previously neglected by scientific studies. Here, we delineate, map, and describe the area, and focus on two taxonomic groups—snakes and conifers—to exemplify the region. The Mogollon Highlands Ecoregion (MHE), as described here, has potential to serve as a center of adaptation to changing climate. This, combined with its inherently high biodiversity, merits its consideration as a conservation priority. We document the diversity and distribution of snakes in the MHE: 39 species were found, a species richness on par with the Madrean Archipelago (sky islands) of Arizona and New Mexico, a region known for its high snake diversity. The MHE is also home to unique conifer diversity, with elevated levels of endemism and genetic exchange. We recommend consideration of the MHE as a uniquely diverse region, and a high conservation priority.
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26 March 2024
The Mogollon Highlands Ecoregion of the American Southwest: A Neglected Center of Ecological Diversity
Thomas L. Fleischner,
M. Lisa Floyd,
Jessie Rack,
David Hanna,
Karen Blevins,
Bruce Christman,
Andrew T. Holycross
Natural Areas Journal
Vol. 44 • No. 2
April 2024
Vol. 44 • No. 2
April 2024
biogeography
conifer diversity
landscape conservation
Mogollon Highlands Ecoregion
snakes