The phylogenetic structure of plant-pollinator networks increases with habitat size and isolation.
Similarity among species in traits related to ecological interactions is frequently associated with common ancestry. Thus, closely related species usually interact with ecologically similar partners, which can be reinforced by diverse co-evolutionary processes. The effect of habitat fragmentation on the phylogenetic signal in interspecific interactions and correspondence between plant and animal phylogenies is, however, unknown. Here, we address to what extent phylogenetic signal and co-phylogenetic congruence of plant-animal interactions depend on habitat size and isolation by analysing the phylogenetic structure of 12 pollination webs from isolated Pampean hills. Phylogenetic signal in interspecific interactions differed among webs, being stronger for flower-visiting insects than plants. Phylogenetic signal and overall co-phylogenetic congruence increased independently with hill size and isolation. We propose that habitat fragmentation would erode the phylogenetic structure of interaction webs. A decrease in phylogenetic signal and co-phylogenetic correspondence in plant-pollinator interactions could be associated with less reliable mutualism and erratic co-evolutionary change.
Laboratorio Ecotono-CRUB, Universidad Nacional del Comahue and INIBIOMA, Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina.
Marcelo A
MA
Aizen
Laboratorio Ecotono-CRUB, Universidad Nacional del Comahue and INIBIOMA, Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina.
Gabriela
G
Gleiser
EEA [Estación Experimental Agropecuaria] Balcarce, INTA [Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria], CC 276, 7620, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Malena
M
Sabatino
Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Calle Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain.
Luis J
LJ
Gilarranz
Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
Jordi
J
Bascompte
Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CIDE CSIC-UV-GV), Apartado Oficial, E-46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain.
Miguel
M
Verdú
D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D001717:Birds / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005843:Geography; D007313:Insecta / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D010944:Plants / Q000145:classification; D054817:Pollination
Area effect; Pampas; co-phylogenetic correspondence; habitat islands; isolation; mutualistic networks; phylogenetic structure; pollination webs