Steffani N. P. Queiroz, Marsal D. Amorim, Sabrina A. Lopes, Jeferson Vizentin-Bugoni, Leonardo Ré Jorge, Jeff Ollerton, Thiago Santos, André R. Rech
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Species interaction networks are expected to vary following temporal changes in the environment and the composition of the local community. However, there are still gaps in our knowledge about temporal variation in networks in tropical areas, where less variable climates are expected to produce more stable community structures over time. Here we describe a plant-hummingbird network in the Brazilian Campo Rupestre ecosystem and investigate multiscale temporal variation of interactions in this community as well as the possible mechanisms underlying the frequencies of species interactions. Plants visited by hummingbirds were observed monthly for a year and each species had morphology, phenology and nectar traits measured. During 624 h of observation we recorded nine hummingbird species visiting 47 plant species, amounting to 9015 visits to flowers. Most plants (28 species) were endemic to the Campo Rupestre and mostly visited by the also endemic hummingbird Augastes scutatus (the Hyacinth Visorbearer). The annual network was not nested but presented high modularity and intermediate specialisation. While the overall (annual) frequencies of interaction were primarily defined by morphological matching and phenological overlap, we found a remarkable temporal change in community structure over the year, with different processes underlying interactions among plants and hummingbirds at different seasons. The interaction pattern during the rainy season was more similar to the annual network than the dry season (when nectar sugar content and plant phenology were also important), with more links per species and lower specialisation. The higher importance of morphology to predict interactions during the rainy season suggests higher niche partitioning when more hummingbird species are present in the community. Our results exemplify the importance of considering the temporal dynamics of the community to advance the understanding of the processes defining species interactions over time in the tropics.
期刊介绍:
Austral Ecology is the premier journal for basic and applied ecology in the Southern Hemisphere. As the official Journal of The Ecological Society of Australia (ESA), Austral Ecology addresses the commonality between ecosystems in Australia and many parts of southern Africa, South America, New Zealand and Oceania. For example many species in the unique biotas of these regions share common Gondwana ancestors. ESA''s aim is to publish innovative research to encourage the sharing of information and experiences that enrich the understanding of the ecology of the Southern Hemisphere.
Austral Ecology involves an editorial board with representatives from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Brazil and Argentina. These representatives provide expert opinions, access to qualified reviewers and act as a focus for attracting a wide range of contributions from countries across the region.
Austral Ecology publishes original papers describing experimental, observational or theoretical studies on terrestrial, marine or freshwater systems, which are considered without taxonomic bias. Special thematic issues are published regularly, including symposia on the ecology of estuaries and soft sediment habitats, freshwater systems and coral reef fish.