Aim Here we determine centers of species richness (SR), relative phylogenetic diversity (RPD) and centers of paleo- and neo-endemism, and regionalizations of phylogenetic diversity in the mimosoid clade of the legumes to understand the distribution and environmental associates of mimosoids lacking RNS (root nodule symbiosis).

Location Global.

Time period Present.

Major taxa studied Mimosoid legumes.

Methods We built a phylogenetic tree of 1313 species and high-quality species distribution models for 1128 species representing the phylogenetic breadth of the mimosoid clade to identify the geographic distribution of RNS. Centers of significant RPD and endemism were identified using a randomization approach, the latter using CANAPE. Phylogenetic regionalization used a distance-based phylogenetic beta-diversity approach.

Results We recognized nine areas of contiguous high SR as distinct SR hotspots. Non-RNS species occur mainly outside hotspots but are closely correlated with high RPD. Absence of RNS was best predicted by high precipitation, and represents multiple independent phylogenetic assemblages in different biogeographic areas.

Main conclusions SR hotspots are partly incongruent with centers of RPD and phylogenetic endemism. Lineages lacking RNS are distributed in SR hotspots in Africa and the Americas, belong to biogeographically separate species assemblages, and are, in most cases, associated with relatively moist tropical environments with low temperature seasonality and high available soil nitrogen.