In contrast with the well documented strain on extant amphibian and reptile populations today, the Quaternary fossil record of these groups is very conservative showing few changes over long periods of time. In order to establish the non-human-induced effect of climate change on herpetofaunal diversity, we collected data from Pleistocene sites in the Sierra de Atapuerca complex (Burgos, Spain), which records the last few million years of changes. Diversity was measured in terms of richness and evenness indices and its relationship to the climatic parameters was analysed with OLS regression models. The highest diversity (richness and evenness; 1-D) occurred in periods considered to be analogues of the current interglacial, whereas minimum diversity values were reached during periods when conditions were harsher (cooler or glacial stage). In all cases, the diversity values were always restored subsequently, pointing to great resilience. Temperature proves to be the most influential climatic factor. Accordingly, amphibians and reptiles have been able to overcome previous climatic changes successfully. In contrast, the effects of anthropization have generated an uncommon loss of diversity, the like of which has not been seen in the last few million years. The data presented here demonstrate that the current amphibian loss seems to be driven by anthropogenic influence, with climate a factor of a secondary importance.

中文翻译：

---

地中海景观中两栖动物和爬行动物的一百万年多样性变化：复原力统治第四纪

与当今现存两栖动物和爬行动物种群的有据可查的应变相比，这些群体的第四纪化石记录非常保守，在很长一段时间内几乎没有变化。为了确定气候变化对爬行动物多样性的非人为影响，我们从 Sierra de Atapuerca 综合体（西班牙布尔戈斯）的更新世遗址收集了数据，该遗址记录了过去几百万年的变化。根据丰富度和均匀度指数衡量多样性，并使用 OLS 回归模型分析其与气候参数的关系。最高的多样性（丰富度和均匀度；1-D）发生在被认为与当前间冰期类似的时期，而在条件更恶劣的时期（较冷或冰川阶段）达到最低多样性值。在所有情况下，多样性值总是随后恢复，表明具有很强的弹性。温度被证明是最有影响的气候因素。因此，两栖动物和爬行动物已经能够成功地克服以前的气候变化。相比之下，人类化的影响导致了不寻常的多样性丧失，这种情况在过去几百万年中从未见过。这里提供的数据表明，目前的两栖动物损失似乎是由人为影响驱动的，气候是次要的因素。人类化的影响造成了多样性的罕见丧失，这种情况在过去几百万年中从未见过。这里提供的数据表明，目前的两栖动物损失似乎是由人为影响驱动的，气候是次要的因素。人类化的影响造成了多样性的罕见丧失，这种情况在过去几百万年中从未见过。这里提供的数据表明，目前的两栖动物损失似乎是由人为影响驱动的，气候是次要的因素。