Tue, Aug 03, 2021:On Demand
Background/Question/Methods
The extent to which species interactions can shape the trait structure of multi-trophic communities at the global scale, especially given climatic constraints on traits, is an on-going debate. Here, we evaluate the relationship between functional traits of frugivorous birds and palms (Arecaceae) to address two key questions: 1) Is trait matching apparent at global scales; and to what extent is matching shaped, directly or indirectly, by climate? 2) How does the strength of trait matching vary across latitude and zoogeographic realms?
Results/Conclusions We find a positive relationship between gape size and fruit size globally, which is influenced indirectly by climate and richness through effects on plant traits. In addition, we uncover a latitudinal gradient in the strength of trait matching- finding that matching strength increases towards the tropics and differs among zoogeographic realms. Taken together, our results suggest mutualistic interactions act in a consistent way across the globe to create trait matching, but that the abiotic environment also plays an important, though indirect, role in shaping the functional biogeography of mutualisms.
Results/Conclusions We find a positive relationship between gape size and fruit size globally, which is influenced indirectly by climate and richness through effects on plant traits. In addition, we uncover a latitudinal gradient in the strength of trait matching- finding that matching strength increases towards the tropics and differs among zoogeographic realms. Taken together, our results suggest mutualistic interactions act in a consistent way across the globe to create trait matching, but that the abiotic environment also plays an important, though indirect, role in shaping the functional biogeography of mutualisms.