Abstract
Aim To assess the validity of four hypothesized drivers (Quaternary climate, niche conservatism, contemporary climate, spatial configuration) of small mammal beta diversity in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau ( QTP ) and the Hengduan Mountains ( HDM ). Location QTP and HDM of China. Methods We partitioned the beta diversity of small mammals in QTP and HDM into the spatial turnover and nestedness components at the regional (longitudinal/latitudinal zones) and grid (1° × 1°) scales. Regional beta diversity was evaluated by calculating the multiple‐site dissimilarities and the distance‐dissimilarity relationships. We examined the relative effects of geographical distance, environmental difference, habitat diversity, geographical isolation and Quaternary climate stability on the beta diversity patterns. Results The overall beta diversity in all longitudinal/latitudinal zones of both regions was primarily driven by spatial turnover, longitudinal nestedness patterns were almost non‐existent in QTP . Turnover was stronger in the latitudinal direction of QTP and in the longitudinal direction of HDM , which corresponded to the general topography of each region. At the grid scale, higher turnover was primarily concentrated in mountainous areas. Turnover was highly correlated with geographical distance and environmental difference in both regions, and geographical isolation was another strong predictor of turnover in HDM . Habitat diversity independently explained most of the variation in nestedness of HDM . Main conclusions Spatial turnover is the primary cause of the small mammal beta diversity in QTP and HDM . Three non‐exclusive mechanisms including the historic effect of past glaciation, contemporary climate and spatial configuration of the landscape might act in combination to shape the beta diversity patterns in QTP and HDM , particularly the directional patterns. Our results challenge the prevailing view that the current distribution of QTP fauna is primarily explained by westward post‐glacial recolonization, and support the alternative idea that QTP retained considerable refugia and even centres of origin during the Quaternary glaciations.