Morphological trait matching shapes plant-frugivore networks across the Andes

BENDER, IRENE M. A.; KISSLING, W. DANIEL; BLENDINGER, PEDRO G.; BÖHNING-GAESE, KATRIN; HENSEN, ISABELL; KÜHN, INGOLF; MUÑOZ, MARCIA C.; NEUSCHULZ, EIKE LENA; NOWAK, LARISSA; QUITIÁN, MARTA; SAAVEDRA, FRANCISCO; SANTILLÁN, VINICIO; TÖPFER, TILL; WIEGAND, THORSTEN; DEHLING, D. MATTHIAS; SCHLEUNING, MATTHIAS

ECOGRAPHY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2018

0906-7590

Interactions between resource and consumer species are organized in ecological networks. Species interactions inthese networks are influenced by the functional traits of the interacting partners, but the generality of trait-basedinteraction rules and the relationship between functional traits and a species´ specialization on specific interactionpartners are not yet understood. Here we combine data on eight interaction networks between fleshy-fruitedplants and frugivorous birds sampled across the tropical and subtropical Andean range. We test whichcombinations of morphological plant and animal traits determine trait matching between resource and consumerspecies in these networks. In addition, we test which of the morphological traits influence functionalspecialization of plant and bird species. In a meta-analysis across network-specific fourth-corner analyses, wefound that plant-animal trait pairs related to size matching (fruit size-beak size) and avian foraging behavior(plant height-wing shape and crop mass-body mass) were positively related in these networks. The degree offunctional specialization on specific interaction partners was positively related to crop mass in plants and to thepointedness of the wing in birds. Our findings show that morphological trait matching between fleshy-fruitedplants and frugivorous birds is a general phenomenon in plant-frugivore networks across the Andes and thatspecific plant and bird traits can be used to approximate the degree of functional specialization. These insightsinto the generality of interaction rules are the base for predictions of species interactions in ecological networks,for instance in novel communities in the future, and can be applied to identify plant and animal species that fulfillspecialized functional roles in ecological communities.