This pattern, called the latitudinal diversity gradient, has not always existed, new research finds. Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted ...

One major geographic pattern in biodiversity is the latitudinal gradient in species richness. As one travels further away from the equator, for most taxa, the number of species declines.

"This was a surprising finding, as it is opposite the latitudinal species richness gradient typically found at larger spatial scales," explains Dr. Romana Salis. Another key finding was that ...

This pattern is known as the "latitudinal diversity gradient." A key result from this study is showing how this pattern has undergone significant fluctuations. Latitudinal patterns of diversity ...

But this is the classic time for these full-latitudinal storms and it is mostly due to the tightening of the gradient between summer and winter.