GenDivRange: a global dataset of geo-referenced population genetic diversity across species ranges

Abstract

The spatial distribution of genetic diversity within a species’ range reflects its past demographic history, and its knowledge is essential to better understand the limits of species ranges and to predict range shifts in response to a changing environment. We present GenDivRange, a unified dataset of published geo-referenced estimates of genetic diversity for 1,109 species, each represented by at least five populations placed on their range maps estimated from Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) observations. A total of 19,173 populations across the globe and from most major taxa, covering terrestrial, freshwater, and marine organisms, are included. At least one of the three genetic diversity estimates is available for each study: expected heterozygosity, Nei’s gene diversity, or allelic richness, mostly estimated from microsatellite markers. Additionally, the dataset contains the detailed taxonomy, biome, breeding, and adult habitat of each species.